Winter Hints and Tips
(Some brief advice of preparing for the Winter Freeze)
Burst pipes
The cost and inconvenience caused by a burst pipe can be considerable. Just a small fracture can
release gallons of water causing extensive damage to your Park Home, Holiday Lodge or Static
Caravan.
Protecting your property during freezing conditions is imperative. Some insurance policies actually
insist that you take steps to protect your home before the winter period (especially true of Static
Holiday Caravans).
Check your insurance policy wording thoroughly to see what is expected of you during the winter
period, to hopefully prevent potential problems and make sure that you are covered by your
insurance should the worst occur. Some insurers do not cover frost damage at all; so it is especially
important for you to take precautions if this is the case.
Tips
The chance of suffering these losses can be reduced by following a few simple steps:
- Make sure the boiler and heating system is serviced regularly and check that the thermostat is
working correctly. (Some Insurers insist on a minimum temperature in order for frost cover to be
valid so please read your insurance policy to check)
- Make sure you know where to turn off the water supply
- Check the insulation on your water pipes and cold water tank - those in the attic or other
vulnerable spaces should be lagged or similarly protected
- Make sure any external taps are turned off and disconnect any hoses
- Keep your heating on throughout the winter months.
What if your pipes are frozen?
If you discover a frozen pipe, don’t wait for it to burst. Turn off your water supply and then slowly
thaw the affected pipe by introducing gentle heat to the area, such as with a hairdryer, space heater
or hot water bottle. Do not attempt to thaw the pipe with a blow torch or other open flame.
If a pipe does burst, turn off the water supply at the stopcock and try to catch any excess water in a
bucket or other container. Do not use any electrics if you believe these may have been affected by
the escaping water. If they have, you will need to have these checked by a professional electrician
before using them again.
Devices are available which can detect excessive water flow and either send a warning or
automatically turn off the water. Leak detection systems are also available, which send a warning to
a designated person enabling them to take appropriate action and hopefully mitigate any damage.
Advice for the safe use of temporary heaters
Should your main heating system fail during the winter months, we recommend that electric
convector or fan-assisted heaters are used as a temporary measure. These should have
thermostatic cut-outs that operate in the event of over-heating. Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) heaters
give off lots of water vapour which can have an adverse effect on the building, and can lead to the
onset of rot in woodwork. If they are used, cylinders should be kept to a minimum and preferably
changed in the open air in a well-ventilated area away from any source of ignition.
Electric radiant heaters and paraffin/oil fired heaters should NEVER be used, even as a temporary
measure.
Portable heaters should be sited clear of combustible materials and where possible fitted with safely
guards to protect against the possibility of being knocked over or moved accidently.
Top tips
- Do not leave temporary heaters unattended for long periods
- Turn off any temporary heaters when the building is unoccupied
- They should never be moved when switched on.
Keeping gutters, gullies and drains clear
Check your valleys, gutters, hoppers and downpipes for blockages regularly so that they can carry
water away quickly and efficiently. If they are not maintained, blockages will occur and the
accumulation of water will eventually cause damage. Additionally, if a downpipe is blocked, any
trapped rainwater may crack or shatter the downpipe if it freezes. Signs of soil being washed away at
ground level or splashes of soil at the base of walls can be an indication that water is not being
caught by the gutter.
Keeping an eye on your roof
Loose or missing slates and tiles may mean that water is getting into the roof. Arranging for a
professional to put back a loose or missing slate or tile is much cheaper than repairing or replacing
roof timbers. These are all simple protective measures which, if undertaken regularly, can save a
great deal of time and trouble later by avoiding expensive repair or replacement costs.
In the garden
Pack away all the things you have had out over the summer like garden furniture, children’s toys and
barbeques. Not only will this keep them safe and prevent damage from being left outside over the
winter, it also stops them becoming potential hazards themselves . If your garden is walled, fenced
or enclosed by a hedge, check it is well maintained and stable. Most household insurance policies
do not cover gates and fences for storm damage so it’s up to you, the homeowner to make sure they
are stable and secure before winter arrives.
Even the best pipe insulation will not prevent exterior pipes from freezing in a prolonged period of
low temperatures. During lengthy periods of frost, external pipe work, outside taps and exposed
plumbing should be isolated and drained down with draining taps left open. When the weather
conditions improve the water supply can be restored
Keeping pathways clear
To reduce the risk of slips on ice, frost or snow, follow this advice:
- Treat paths and walkways with salt or grit before nightfall or in early morning to prevent ice
forming or limit snow accumulating.
- Never use water to melt ice and snow as it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases
the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery.
- When you're shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn't block people's paths or
drains.
What if your property is going to be unoccupied?
People often go away for a few days and leave their house empty, especially over the Christmas and
New Year period.
Here are some tips for protecting your unoccupied home:
- Keep your property heated to reduce the chance of a pipe freezing
- If the premises will be unoccupied for some time, drain down and shut off your water system
- Ask somebody to check on your property daily. This may not prevent a loss but early identification
of a leak can help reduce the ultimate cost
- Check your policy details for more information about leaving your property unoccupied
What if your Park has a closed period during the winter period (Normally on
Holiday Parks)?
Many Parks operate a drain down and flush through procedure before the winter period (as well as
re-commissioning of the home in preparation for the start of the season) so it’s best to consult with
the Park operator to see if this option is available to you.
Frost damage can be very costly to repair, so asking your Park operator for assistance with
preparations for the winter can be a much cheaper option; especially if your insurer excludes frost
damage.
If your park is unable to close down the home for you and you are unable to locate a suitable
contractor, you could use the recommendation mentioned below; however (Parksure cannot accept
any responsibility for any damage caused)
Closing down recommendations:
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Turn off the water supply at the stop cock
Locate the drain cock(s) under the home and open it/them
Open all taps, including the shower, and lay the shower hose in the shower tray
Flush all water from the toilet cistern(s)
Drain off the water heater and central heating system
Turn off the gas supply. (Disconnect if it is a Holiday Caravan)
Make sure electricity is turned off and all electrical plugs are removed from sockets (If
continued electricity supply is necessary to maintain an intruder alarm system, please seek
guidance from the Park Owner)
 Empty and clean the refrigerator, leaving the door propped open making sure the freezer
section has been thoroughly defrosted first
 Remove all food items, bedding and clothing from cupboards
 Store all valuable items such as televisions out of sight
 Stand all mattresses and sofa cushions on their ends to allow air to circulate
 Make sure all ventilation ducts and gutters are free from debris and obstruction
 Make sure all windows, skylights and doors are securely shut and locked
 Make sure the park manager has a key to the home and a contact number for you, in case of
emergency.
Some insurance policies do not insist that you drain down your home but will instead insist that you
turn the water supply off and a full central heating system is set to operate daily and overnight to a
minimum temperature of normally around 10 – 15 degrees. As already mentioned, such
requirements vary from insurer to insurer so it’s best to check your policy and individual
circumstances.
By following these guidelines, you are minimising the chances of your property suffering damage this
winter and making sure you will not become one of this winter’s claim statistics!
Should you have any queries regarding this or any other insurance matter, please contact us on free
phone number 0800 731 9583
REMEMBER
BE SAFE THIS WINTER
INSURE, BE SECURE, WITH PARKSURE!!!
0800 731 9583
www.parksure.com
Insurance
If you are in any doubt of what to do or if you have a burst pipe please contact us.
Parksure for all your insurance needs for your Park Home, Holiday Lodge or Static Caravan simply call
us on 0800 731 9583 or visit us at http://www.parksureinsurance.co.uk