KEY POINTS:
The best way to avoid winter miseries lay with good preparation, the Insurance Council said today.
With the official start of winter just three days away, council spokesman John Lucas said it was important for property owners to think ahead.
"If you live in an area where you can expect frosts, the following tips will save you a lot of misery," he said.
The risk of burst pipes could be eased by repairing leaking taps and fittings, and lagging external water pipes.
Hot water cylinder vent pipes should be checked to make sure they weren't susceptible to icing up.
Property owners should also make sure they know where their water main stop valve was, and that they could turn it on and off.
Stormwater guttering, downpipes and drains should be kept clear of debris.
And where extreme low temperatures had been experienced, consideration should be given to insulating loft space plumbing and header tanks where fitted.
If pipes became frozen, the water supply should be turned off at the street, and a plumber called in.
If water was leaking out of the ceiling or walls, electricity should be turned off at the meter box and an electrician called.
Property owners also needed to phone their insurance company as soon as possible.
- NZPA
