Leaky lofts and lagging

• Last winter, 93 per cent of major claims were in unoccupied homes
• Only 65 per cent of women know where their stopcock is compared to 80 per cent of men
• Householder’s admit risking their safety as 40 per cent of those who experienced a broken down boiler resorted to boiling a kettle to wash themselves
• One in ten blame a boiler breakdown as having a negative impact on their or a member of their family’s health

Last winter, 93 per cent of major claims in the home occurred when no one was in the house according to a claims audit* by Direct Line home insurance. The audit found that the source of nearly all these claims were leaks from water mains and pipes in the loft.

To support the claims audit, further research commissioned** by Direct Line that only 65 per cent of women know where their stopcock is compared to 80 per cent of men. This could be disastrous for women who are home alone and unable to stop water gushing through their house.

Martin Egan, national claims manager for Direct Line home insurance, comments: "It is not a surprise that there is a correlation between unoccupancy and the extent of damage for those affected by the freezing weather last winter. If you are going away, leave the heating on low or turn off and drain the system. Ask a friend or a neighbour to check on your house regularly whilst you are away."

Egan continues: "During winter months, leave the heating on at approximately 15 degree on the thermostat. Whether you are at home or away, open loft hatches to allow them to heat up. Often they are so well insulated to keep cold out of the house that they do not allow heat in and freezing occurs. Find out now where your stopcock is and how to turn off the water supply. You really don’t want to be looking for it when water is coming through the ceiling."

It is not only water leaks that householders need to prepare for. Boiler breakdowns can be disastrous and it’s not just the older ones at risk. The research showed that 37 per cent of those surveyed who rent or own their home had a boiler less than five years old. These householders should also be aware of the risk of their condensing boiler heating systems failing, due to external drain away pipes freezing. The number of households that have this type of boiler has increased significantly in the last five years as in April 2007, in England and Wales, it became a legal requirement that all new gas boilers must be condensing.

Direct Line research revealed that:

• Family safety is at risk from scalding as 40 per cent of broken down boiler victims resorted to boiling a kettle to wash themselves
• One in ten of those who had a boiler breakdown blame it for having a negative impact on their or a member of their family’s health
• A third of Scots (33 per cent) who own or rent their homes have experienced a power cut during the winter rising to 37 per cent in Welsh households
• One in five Scots have suffered roof damage compared to only one in ten Londoners
• One in five people have experienced their central heating breaking down in winter

Tips on how to thaw and protect condensing drain away pipes

• The condensate pipe is a plastic pipe (black, white or grey), coming from the bottom of the boiler. If this pipe is less than 32mm in diameter and runs outside of the property or through a non-heated area then it should be fully insulated with waterproof lagging.
• Only attempt to thaw a condensate pipe that is at ground level and which is easily accessible to you. Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to thaw a condense pipe which is at height, without the assistance of a professionally trained engineer.
• A hot water bottle or heat wrap (like the ones that can be used to ease muscle discomfort) would be a suitable and safe way of thawing the condensate pipe. Hold the hot water bottle or warmed heat wrap around the pipe to thaw it.
• Once thawed, insulate the pipe with waterproof lagging. If it is not at ground level contact the installer in order to implement a permanent solution to prevent the condense freezing.

- Ends -

Notes to editors

For further information please contact:

Claire Foster
PR Manager
Direct Line
claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk
020 8285 8682
07900 217 264

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

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