Turning the tide:
how to protect your home from escape of water
From burst pipes to leaks, here’s what you need to know about escape of water
Water is one of the most common sources of property damage. Burst pipes. Unchecked leaks. Faulty parts. They can all have a big impact.
There are many ways water can get into your home, but they all have one thing in common: they can be preventable.
This guide has tips to help you find flaws, deal with damage, and stay safe (and soak-free) in your home.
What is escape of water?
When we say ‘escape of water’, we’re usually talking about plumbing problems. This would include sudden and unexpected leaking from washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, freezers, drains or heating systems.
With more homes adding integrated appliances, hidden plumbing, and en-suite bathrooms, the risk of water escaping is growing.
What are the common causes of escape of water?
Cold weather: Escape of water happen any time of year, but freezing winter temperatures make it more likely for pipes to burst. If this happens in your plumbing, pipes can split or burst, causing leaks when the ice melts.
Dodgy DIY: The cost of living’s gone up – and so has the price of hiring a plumber. To save money, people are turning to YouTube or TikTok "how-to" videos to carry out repairs themselves. This means more mistakes are being made.
Cheap or faulty parts: One of the most common DIY mistakes is underestimating costs. This can tempt people to opt for cheap plastic parts, which might not be up to the job. This is a problem in higher pressure plumbing where temperature changes, such as central heating systems. The pipes expand when heated and contract when cooled, so frequent changes in temperature can weaken them over time.
Blocked pipes: If waste pipes are blocked, pressure builds up. Eventually this might damage a seal and allow water or other substances to escape.
Hidden pipes: It's harder to spot escaping water in hidden pipes. This means the damage can spread further before it’s noticed.
Where should I check for escape of water?
Some of the most common problem areas in the home are:
Bathroom: Bathrooms can have hidden weak points. These include where the toilet, sink and bath connect to your plumbing - and where shower pipes are embedded in walls.
Ceiling: Plasterboard ceilings are easily damaged. Keep an eye on areas where pipes run to and from your bathroom. Most DIY stores sell metal detectors to help you find any hidden pipes – a vital task if you’re planning DIY jobs where underlying pipes or cables might be damaged.
Kitchen: Water pipes often enter and exit properties via the kitchen. So, your kitchen's probably at risk of frozen pipes in winter. The under-sink cupboard is also a common location for leaks, due to lower temperatures (often where the water supply and stop cock are found) and from pipes and connections becoming loose.
Damp in internal walls: Find out where your risers are, so you can spot any damp patches early. Risers are vertical pipes that carry water or gas between floors in a building. They're usually found in utility rooms or garages.
Under-floor pipes: Even with hardwood flooring, plumbing should be accessible for inspection. Make sure there’s a hatch or ‘lifter’ floorboards that aren’t nailed down.
Boiler: Because the pressure changes as the water heats and cools, washers and connectors can fail. This causes drips and leaks.
Toilet: When you’re cleaning the toilet bowl, check around the back and cistern for any drips or condensation from ageing seals.
Radiator: Rust and corrosion can be early signs of escape of water from joints.
Washing machine: Look behind appliances like dishwashers and washing machines regularly to make sure pipes are secure and dry.
Leaks from a neighbouring property: You can’t maintain your neighbour’s plumbing. But, if you think water might be leaking from their home, you should let them know.
What should I do if I find or suspect a leak?
If you find a leak, you’ll probably need to shut off the water supply. To do this, you’ll need to know where your stopcock is. It’s usually under the kitchen sink, but if you can’t find it, call a local plumber for advice. Once you’ve stopped the flow, it's time to check your home insurance cover. Your policy wording should explain what is and isn't covered, and you may be able to claim for any damage caused by the water leak. AXA customers can check their cover in their online account.
Your next steps will depend on what’s caused the escape of water
If your pipes are frozen, you can avoid the worst of the damage by:
- Attempting to thaw frozen pipes with a hot water bottle.
- Switching off the central heating or any other water heating installations, then opening all taps to drain the system.
- Ensuring professional repairs have been carried out before switching back on.
If it’s a leak from a connector, or something simple like a dripping tap, you may be able to replace the parts yourself. Just make sure you use the right size connectors, as even the tiniest gap can cause a leak.
In the event of escape of water from the heating system, use a professional tradesman registered with an HSE-approved competent person scheme.
How can I prevent escape of water?
Regular maintenance is vital for preventing escape of water. With this in mind, these are our top tips to stay dry.
Protect your pipes: Make sure water pipes and water tanks in the roof space are insulated correctly. These exposed pipes are more likely to freeze. Don’t insulate beneath your water tank though, as this will prevent your home’s heating from reaching and warming the tank.
Control the temperature: You should keep your heating on to prevent your pipes from freezing - even when your home is unoccupied.
Encourage air circulation: Kitchen and bathroom cabinets can keep warm air from reaching sinks and outside walls. Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate. Also, consider opening your loft hatch to allow warm air to reach the water tank.
Upgrade old appliances: It’s not just boilers and washing machines that age. Their plumbing connectors can too. Stopcocks are also prone to age-related issues. Consider an electronic stopcock replacement to reduce the chances of it sticking.
Keep an eye on problem areas: Temperamental heating, low water pressure, condensation and damp can all be warning signs of escape of water.
Consider leak protection systems: Leak protection systems can help you check for problems. They’re designed to detect excessive flow of water or escaping moisture. When they do, they can automatically shut down your water supply.
While you’re protecting your home against escape of water, use the opportunity to consider what else you can do to protect your home.
Take a look at our tips on how to weatherproof for all seasons, including protecting against major disasters like storm damage and other extreme weather.
Assistance at home when you need it most
From burst pipes to broken boilers – when you have an emergency at home, you can't afford to waste any time getting it repaired. In addition to our domestic helpline, if you choose AXA Home Assistance, we'll arrange for an authorised contractor to sort out repairs up to £1000 in an emergency. Find out more about AXA Home Assistance below, or take a look at our Home Insurance options.