According to the Association of British Insurers, a burst pipe will cost on average £8,800 to fix. That’s why we’re helping our customers to protect their homes and stay safe this winter.
There’s plenty you can do to help make sure you have hot running water and that your pipes don’t freeze, so here’s our handy little guide for looking after your home.
Protect
Fix
For more winter water saving tips, click here. Because water’s worth saving!
Northumbrian Water own the water pipes which run beneath the street up to the point where it meets your property plus the meter or stoptap outside your property, so any leaks are down to us to repair.
Once the pipework crosses the boundary it becomes the responsibility of the owner, whether it's a leak on the pipe beneath a private driveway or somewhere in the property itself. Some older properties share water supply pipes, which generally means that the responsibility for repairing it would be shared between you and your neighbours.
If you've got a leak in your home, or on your land, you'll need to get it fixed.
You can find a list of approved, local plumbers at www.watersafe.org.uk
We've got more information about leaks and how to report them on our Community Portal Leak Map. Check it out here.
If you are a business, call us on 0800 028 3557 or visit www.totalwatersolutions.co.uk to find out more on how to beat the freeze.
When the cold hits, the lower temperatures can cause the ground surrounding pipes to move and stresses the joints causing them to leak. The colder it gets, the more likely this is to happen. There are 10,500 miles of pipework in the North East with millions of joints holding them together. Over time and with the cold water, joints can lock or tension can build up which causes pipes to crack. We treat 680 million litres of water every day, so even a small crack can cause problems. That’s why our team are on hand, come rain or shine, with a dedicated leakage team to help.
The cold weather will affect your home pipes the same way. It can also freeze the water inside which prevents water flowing to your taps. Our handy and simple tips above do make a difference and can help you to protect your home.
Northumbrian Water continue to fix leaks in a timely manner and prioritise any leaks that have the danger of freezing – preventing slips and trips in the icy conditions. If you see any leaks when out and about this winter, then please help to report it via our leakage portal here.
As we make our way through these challenging times, we understand that some of our customers may need extra help. Our Priority Services are here for all our customers, to give extra support. These are particularly useful if you or someone you know; were advised by your GP to shield, live alone, have long term health conditions or have any/look after any children under the age of five.
Sign up online at nwl.co.uk/priority
Hot or cold, Northumbrian Water is encouraging our customers to use water wisely. Here are our top tips for saving water (and energy!) this winter.
Find out moreWe all need a little extra help at some point in our lives. We offer a range of free Priority Services to all our customers.
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