Leaks.

Some of the most common claims we receive involve incidents caused by escape of water in the home. Escape of water is the insurance industry's name for when a leak in the home damages property or possessions.

Escape of water can cause considerable damage to your home and cost £1,000's to repair. Follow our do's and don'ts below to help keep your home safe. 

How to prevent water leaks

• Boiler - have it serviced so it's in good working order.
• Overflows - check your toilets, water tanks and central heating header tanks overflows regularly, along with any ballcock valves to make sure they are in good working order.
• Taps and radiators - get any drips or leaks fixed.
• Windows - make sure the frames aren't loose and that there are no gaps to let the rain in.
• Bathroom - the seal around your bath or shower must be watertight.
• Washing machine and dishwasher - check they're in working order. If you can, pull them out and look to see if the water inlet and waste pipes are in good condition.
• Damp, mildew and mould - don't ignore it, it may be as a result of a leak you can't see. Get a professional to stop it damaging your home.
• Roof - repair loose or missing tiles or slates.
• Gutters - keep them clear and in good condition, so water can't leak into your home. 

Action you must take in an emergency

• Immediately turn off the water at the main stop tap.
• Next, switch off the central heating and immersion heater.
• Then, open the tap nearest to the part of the pipe you think is frozen so water can flow through once melted. 

Holidays and weekend breaks

If you're away visiting friends and family or off on holiday, make sure you always turn your water off at the mains. During winter, we also recommend keeping your central heating on low and opening your loft hatch so warm air can get to your pipes. If you do want to leave your heating off, drain your whole system and switch the water off at the mains. 

Landlords