Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC urges homeowners and businesses to prepare for burst pipe risks as freezing temperatures return
With Met Éireann warning of freezing temperatures, frost and icy conditions in the coming days, Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva) is urging homeowners and businesses to take steps now to protect their properties from burst pipes.
When a freeze is followed quickly by a thaw, pipes can crack or burst as water begins flowing again and pressure builds behind frozen sections. This can lead to extensive water damage – often when people least expect it.
Rapid changes in temperature are one of the biggest triggers for burst pipes. A few simple preventative steps can help people spot issues early or prevent them altogether, which can make a real difference in protecting homes and businesses’.
Gillian Devereux, Senior Loss Adjuster at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, commented:
Advice for Homeowners
- Keep the heating on low: Maintain a steady low temperature (at least 13°C / 55°F) during cold spells.
- Test taps and toilets: Turn on taps and flush toilets regularly - slow or no flow can indicate a frozen pipe.
- Check vulnerable areas: Look in unheated spaces such as attics, garages and along external walls.
- Thaw gently: If you find a frozen pipe, thaw it slowly using a hairdryer on its lowest setting, a hot water bottle, or warm towels.
- Circulate warm air: Keep cabinet doors, presses and the attic hatch open so warm air can reach exposed pipes.
- Apartment living: Watch for leaks from neighbouring or unoccupied units.
- If leaving home: Turn off the water at the mains if your property will be empty for more than 24 hours. For holiday homes, ask a neighbour to check in if you can't.
Advice for Business Owners
- Regular checks: If your premises will be unoccupied, even over a weekend, arrange regular inspections.
- Disconnect hoses: Remove external hoses so they don’t freeze and damage the wider system.
- Take care near flat roofs: Snow can slide off suddenly in large sheets after a thaw, posing a risk to anyone nearby.
If A Pipe Bursts
Gillian Devereux added:
“Acting quickly can make a big difference. Aviva offers 24/7 home emergency assistance - check your policy documents or our website for the right contact number. We always encourage people to get in touch with their insurer early so they can get advice straight away, and take photographs of any damage before repairs start.”