Press Release

Business Stream urges companies to protect pipes after bursts shut down hundreds last Christmas

More than 700 Scottish companies had to shut up shop for up to three weeks last winter after water from burst pipes left offices and workplaces unfit for business.

Plummeting temperatures left firms counting the cost of burst pipes as water poured into premises after frozen pipes thawed. Business Stream, Scotland’s leading non-domestic water supplier, urged businesses not to get caught out again this year.

Last winter, around 25 per cent of calls to Business Stream customer services were made by business owners requesting emergency repairs to frozen pipes.

With this year’s winter arriving early, and predicted to be even colder than last year, Mark Powles, chief executive of Business Stream, said all businesses and public sector organisations should put in place measures to protect against the cost and inconvenience of burst pipes.

Mark said: “Last year showed how problematic frozen pipes can be. There’s the cost of repairs, which can be significant, as well as replacing any ruined stock or equipment, not to mention the cost to the business of lost time and possibly lost customers while repairs are being made.

“If temperatures drop as low as predicted, pipes can freeze over the weekend; then when the heating is switched on come Monday morning you end up with burst pipes. It can happen very quickly.”

By insulating pipes and leaving heating on low in unoccupied workplaces during cold weather, organisations can help avoid burst pipes, which could potentially ruin equipment, carpets, furniture, stock and premises.

Mark added: “What’s frustrating about burst pipes is that they are easily avoidable, but quite often people don’t even think about it. Last year Business Stream received our highest ever call volumes due to burst pipes and we really hope that this year will be different.

“Taking the necessary precautions against burst pipes can be relatively inexpensive, particularly when you compare it to the cost of what could happen.”
 
Business Stream has issued the following series of simple tips that customers can follow to avoid potential disasters – businesses can also find advice on preventing burst pipes at www.business-stream.co.uk/winter-pipes

Heat
Leave your heating on at a low temperature.  
Make sure heaters are well-maintained and working properly.

Insulate
Make sure pipes are properly insulated with good quality lagging (this can be purchased from most DIY retailers).

Protect
Have any leaks at taps or valves repaired.

What should I do if a pipe freezes?
1. Turn the water supply off at the stop valve immediately.
2. Never attempt to thaw out frozen pipes by switching on your immersion heater or central heating boiler. Instead, check for any obvious bursts or sprung joints, then gently heat any frozen sections – a heated cloth wrapped round a pipe is ideal. Never apply a direct flame to a frozen pipe.
3.Call a qualified plumber if you are in any doubt about what to do.

What should I do if a pipe bursts?
1. Turn off your water at the stop valve immediately.
2. Switch off your immersion heater and central heating boiler and then open all hot and cold taps to drain the system and minimise the damage. Let any solid fuel fires die down.
3. Switch off your electricity supply at the main if there is a risk that water could come into contact with electrical wiring or fittings.
4. Check with your neighbours that turning off the water has not affected their supply. A temporary repair can be made to a burst pipe by binding it tightly with a cloth, tape or using a pipe clamp. However, any burst pipe should be replaced as soon as possible by a qualified plumber.
5. Contact Business Stream so the burst can be taken into consideration when calculating your bill.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Business Stream by The BIG Partnership
For more information, contact: Bryan Garvie or Charles Cameron on 0141 333 9585 or firstname.lastname@bigpartnership.co.uk

Notes to editors

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Scottish Water, Business Stream has been formed as an arms-length company with its own board and independent management team. Its goal is to provide a first class service for business customers and respond to the challenge of other established utility companies entering the new, competitive market which opened on 1 April 2008.

Under the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005, Scottish Water had to split its operation into wholesale (Scottish Water) and retail (Business Stream) units. Although ostensibly remaining a part of Scottish Water, Business Stream is a new business working completely independently of its parent company in order to ensure fair and transparent retail practice under the rules of the new competitive marketplace for business customers.