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Damage caused by burst water pipes can undoubtedly be detrimental to your buy-to-let business given the hours and expense required to rectify the problem. The good news, however, is that the costs, time and hassle associated with repairing structural and cosmetic damage to your rental property and its contents can be limited by taking some precautionary steps.
Causes of burst water pipes
There are a number of reasons water pipes burst.
- Freezing water in pipes during cold periods
- Old age of pipes
- Wear and tear of pipes
Consequences of burst water pipes
Burst water pipes not only result in stress and hassle for you and your tenants but can also have an adverse impact on your rental property and neighbouring properties. Some of the consequences of burst water pipes are outlined below.
- Structural damage to your rental property and neighbouring properties
- Cosmetic damage to your buy-to-let property and neighbouring properties
- Damage to furniture, fittings and appliances within the rental property and neighbouring properties
- Expense, e.g. repair and restoration work, relocation of tenants
- Stress and hassle for landlord, tenants and neighbours
- Loss of rental income
Prevention
Burst water pipes can be avoided by you or your tenants taking some relatively simple precautionary steps.
Precautionary steps
- Ensure you have adequate insurance to cover flooding damage from plumbing.
- In cold periods, ensure the central heating system is kept on, cold taps are run and the outside tap is drained.
- Lag and insulate pipes.
- If your tenants are going to be away during a cold period request that they set the central heating to come on a few times every day throughout the day and night.
- Drain the cold water system if the property is going to be vacant.
- Remove, drain and store hoses used outdoors.
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
- Consider inserting a clause in the tenancy agreement stipulating the action tenants are required to take during cold weather.
Frozen pipes
- If the pipes have frozen, turn off the stopcock and let nature take its course.
- If the pipes freeze but have not burst, arrange for a plumber to come and inspect the pipes for splits.
- If the pipes freeze, do not allow the use of an open flame or boiling water to thaw them.
What to do if your pipes burst
If you or your tenants are faced with burst water pipes there are several things that can be done to limit the damage.
- Turn off the water supply at the main stopcock.
- Identify the source of the burst. If it is the tank, empty the tank (run all cold taps and flush the toilet a number of times).
- Before draining hot water, turn off the boiler and immersion heater. Turn off the cold feed pipe to the cylinder and run all of the hot water taps to get rid of the water in the pipes.
- Take precautions so that your health and safety and that of your tenants are not affected by electrical dangers. Do not touch anything electrical. Contact an electrician.
- Use a bucket to collect water.
- Pierce the ceiling if it is bulging.
- Call the plumber.
- Contact your insurance company.
- Make a list of damaged items.
- Take photos of all damage.
- Save all receipts connected with the flooding and submit them to your insurance company.
Burst water pipes can cause substantial damage but by taking precautionary steps you and your tenants might be able to reduce the likelihood of pipes bursting and limit the impact if they do burst. Adequate insurance cover should also minimise the cost and stress to you and your tenants associated with water damage from burst pipes.
Related articles:
Attracting and keeping tenants
Legal tips for landlords
Dealing with problem tenants
General landlord information (DIY, Inventories and more..)
Energy-saving tips for landlords and tenants
Financial tips for landlords
Buying a buy-to-let property (auctions, location etc)
Insurance for landlords
Using letting agents
Mortgage information for landlords
The information contained within this article is for general information purposes only, it does not constitute advice. Direct Line for Business endeavours to keep the information up to date and correct but does not make any representation or warranties of any kind about its completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. Direct Line for Business will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of this information.
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