Scottish Water is joining forces with Scotland’s leading business organisations to encourage business owners to protect their pipes and be prepared before the weather turns wintry.
It’s not just our homes we need to think about protecting this winter, but business premises can be vulnerable to prolonged cold temperatures in the winter months too.
Peter Farrer, Scottish Chief Operating Officer, said: “There’s no telling whether there will be a repeat of the extreme conditions we experienced in the past and that is why it is sensible for people across Scotland to start thinking about protecting their pipes, whether at home or at work, and make sure they are prepared.
“Very often people assume that it won’t happen to them, but there are few things more frustrating than opening up your work premises to find everything ankle deep in freezing water and your stock, carpets and equipment all ruined because of a burst pipe.
“Businesses which take action now to heat, insulate and protect their properties overnight, over the weekend and particularly during the festive period can avoid this potentially costly headache. Across Scotland, business owners need to ensure that they are prepared.”
The Scottish Water Winter campaign, launched with the support of STV weather forecaster Sean Batty in early October, recommends a three-point guide to help avoid the misery, inconvenience and cost of failing to be prepared and take measures to prevent frozen or burst pipes caused by freezing conditions.
The Scottish Water Winter Code advises anyone with a home, holiday home or business premises to take action to heat, insulate and protect their properties, whether the property is old or new, ahead of any cold weather.
The key advice in our winter code is:
- Heat: Warmth offers the best protection against frozen pipes, so leave your heating on a low setting. If you are going away, ensure someone can visit regularly to check for any problems. If the property is vacant over winter, turn off the water supply and drain the system.
- Insulate: Ensure your water tank is fitted with an insulation jacket or wrapped with suitable insulation material. Water pipes, tanks or toilet cisterns in unheated outbuildings or exposed places should also be insulated. If not in use over winter, have them drained.
- Protect: Dripping water increases the risk of freezing, so repair any leaks at taps or valves as soon as possible. Also reduce draughts, which can cause frozen pipework, by fitting draught excluders on doors and windows.
Other important advice in the Scottish Water Winter campaign includes tips on heating your property more effectively, finding and using your stopcock, keeping a small emergency pack handy and keeping an eye out for the elderly and those who might need additional support.
Our Winter message is being spread through a range of channels including leaflets, films, social media, advertising and partnerships with a range of organisations.
The Confederation of British Industry in Scotland is backing Scottish Water’s advice.
Hugh Aitken, CBI Scotland Director, said: “Preparedness is everything. By planning ahead firms can avoid a hit on productivity by minimising potential damage. Following Scottish Water’s advice will help them reduce the probability of burst water pipes, which have the potential to be a real nuisance.”
Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses very much welcome the advice provided by Scottish Water to prepare for the winter. Business premises are susceptible to the impacts of winter weather and any disruption can have serious consequences for the business, the supply chain and the wider economy.
“The advice from Scottish Water is practical and implementation of this can help to minimise risk during the winter period, enabling businesses to continue their operations and services for customers.”
And the message isn’t just for large businesses. All areas of the business community can benefit from Scottish Water’s important advice.
Andy Willox, the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Scottish policy convenor, said: “Avoid the risk of burst pipes, and the potential cost of flooded premises, by making sure your premises are prepared for falling temperatures. No matter if your business is busy or quiet at this time of year, now is the time to get prepared.”
Ensuring your business is properly protected can help you avoid the potentially costly headache of the damage caused to premises or stock by a burst pipe.
This year, Scottish Water is also offering a free stop valve sticker, allowing property owners the chance to write the name and contact number of their local licensed plumber so that it is handily placed in case of emergency.
As one of the largest businesses in Scotland, Scottish Water is also taking steps across its operation to ensure it is well equipped to continue delivering the best service it can in the event of a severe winter. Employees will be working around the clock to maintain drinking water supplies to our 2.4 million household customers and more than 150,000 businesses.
Customers should visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/winter where they can find winter information, films and advice.
To apply for the free stop valve sticker write to:
Customer Marketing, Free Stop Valve Sticker, PO Box 8855, Edinburgh EH10 6YQ or e mail customermarketing@scottishwater.co.uk.
Follow us on Twitter @scottish_water #SWwinter and Facebook www.facebook.com/scottishwater.
Customers can now receive free texts (SMS)* to keep up to date about our work or service updates, such as having no water supply, in your area – please text ‘Update’ with your postcode to 82228. * For more info and T&Cs visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/textterms.
Scottish Water always recommends the use of licensed plumbers. We support and promote the WaterSafe scheme, an online search facility to help customers find the nearest qualified plumbing and heating professionals. The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) runs the Plumbing Industry Licensing Scheme and this is part of WaterSafe.