With a cold snap in full swing, United Utilities has been offering advice to residents and businesses on how best to protect their pipes from freezing and / or bursting.

Pipes can become damaged when water freezes and expands, rupturing the pipe. As the water thaws, it leaves a split which water can pour through.

United Utilities offered the following advice:

• Check where your stop tap is, and make sure that it works. This is the valve that turns water on or off in your property. It's usually under the kitchen sink, but can also be in garages or cellars.
• Insulate pipes in cold places, such as outside or in the garage and loft. Insulating the pipes will also reduce heat loss, which can in turn save money on energy bills.
• Protect exposed equipment - such as outside taps - with an insulated cover.

Lindsay Page, who heads up water services for United Utilities in Greater Manchester said: "When temperatures drop, pipes that aren't insulated can freeze and this can cause them to block, or even crack which can cause flooding.

"Customers can take a few simple steps which will go a long way to helping them avoid any nasty burst pipes and all the inconvenience and repair costs that this brings."

You can find more useful information on how to protect your home this winter on the United Utilities website here.

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