An pressing warning has been issued for households all through the UK to maintain faucets dripping over Christmas.

Residence and backyard consultants at Posh.co.uk say leaving faucets dripping and setting the thermostat on a low temperature might help keep away from coming dwelling to frozen and burst pipes.

Throughout chilly winters, pipes can usually freeze and burst because of harsh climate situations – particularly in the event that they’re in unheated areas of the house, probably setting you again lots of of kilos.

Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk mentioned: “After we’re away from our properties, the possibilities of pipes freezing over are much more doubtless. It’s because we’re not at dwelling utilizing the heating or operating the water to maintain them in use.

“The very last thing you need after Christmas is to return dwelling to this annoying and costly downside, so it’s value taking some precautions earlier than you head away for the festivities.

“Setting your thermostat is an apparent answer and when you suppose you may be racking up the vitality invoice by doing this, you’re really doing the other.

“Setting your thermostat on a low and constant temperature may be extra environment friendly and it’ll hold you dwelling simply heat sufficient to forestall pipes freezing.

“Different issues you are able to do embody insulating your water pipes earlier than you go and leaving the taps on with a really sluggish, slight drip to maintain a circulation of water by means of the pipes.”

Set your thermostat

Most of us have our thermostat set round 19C and lots of flip them off once they’re away. This could harm your thermostat and burn up extra vitality over time. Contemplate setting it between 12C and 15C when you’re away as a substitute.

Insulate pipes

Insulate pipes in your house which are in unheated areas resembling attics and exterior partitions. Pipe insulation will stop them from freezing and even bursting within the chilly climate. They’ll additionally assist scale back warmth loss, making your property extra environment friendly.

Depart taps dripping

In case you’re solely away for a few days, think about leaving the taps dripping ever so barely with chilly water. This may occasionally appear to be a waste of water however a really barely increased water invoice shall be cheaper than fixing burst and frozen pipes.

Ask a trusted neighbour

In case you’re away for an extended time period and don’t need to depart your taps operating, ask a trusted neighbour, member of the family or pal to pop in and rapidly run the faucets each couple of days.

Depart cupboards open

Cupboards can get chilly in the event that they’re on an exterior wall that’s not nicely insulated. Depart kitchen and loo cupboards open when you’re away to permit heat airflow to succeed in the pipes.