Check frozen pipe damage to avoid £10,000 repairs warns insurer

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scots have been urged to watch out for signs of expensive frozen pipe damage in their homes as the mercury drops. Insurers NFU Mutual warned the cold weather raises the risk of devastating burst pipes - which can cause major disruption to people’s lives and cost up to £10,000 to fix on average.The mild start to November has given way this week to freezing temperatures as Scotland gets its first proper taste of winter.

Now, the rural insurer is offering advice to homeowners and businesses on how to recognise the signs of and prevent pipe damage.The process of freezing causes water to expand, which can cause pipes to split or burst, particularly if they already have a small undetected leak.

When the pipes thaw, the escape of water can rapidly cause major damage to a property.Andrew Chalk, rural insurance specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “Escape of water is a hidden danger for property owners, with the potential to cause significant damage and disruption.

Last year, NFU Mutual received almost 6,500 escape of water claims in 2023 at an average cost of £9,670."Larger claims can run to over £100,000, and it's common for a leak to cause such damage that it forces a person to vacate their property to allow for repairs and structural work to take place.