Leaks can vary from major bursts to minor leaks

They may remain undiscovered for several months

The main sources of leaks include:

  • Mains water supply pipe and joints
  • Water tanks and toilet cisterns
  • Washing machines & dishwashers
  • Soil stacks and drainage pipes
  • Bathroom & kitchen waste pipe joints
  • Overflowing baths and showers
  • Poorly sealed sanitaryware
  • Central heating systems
  • Pressure vessels
  • Water pumps and pressure relief valves
  • Water ingress
  • Roof/surface water flooding

 

Here are some important Do’s and Don’ts to help prevent leaks in your home:

Do

  • Use an approved plumber to install appliances
  • Check for leaks annually
  • Call us to alert of any water ingress, slow leak or plumbing problem
  • Contact us for repair or installation assistance
  • Maintain all heating and plumbing in accordance with manufactures guidelines
  • Maintain heating at 10o when leaving property unoccupied for long periods
  • Know where your stopcock is, how to turn it off, and test it works at least twice annually
  • Protect outside taps and pipe work with lagging and open tap to drain off. Water expands when it freezes, which causes bursts

Don’t

  • Forget to isolate your water supply if you’re away for a holiday or long period
  • Forget to check pipes and tanks are insulated or heated to prevent them freezing
  • Discard nappies, wet wipes or cotton buds down the toilet, or cooking fat down the sink
  • Stand on sanitaryware
  • Wash outside the confines of a bath or shower
  • Undertake bathroom or kitchen renovation without informing us

Got a leak?

Contact us or report your leak online through your My54North account today.

What do I do if my home is flooded?

Isolate the water supply if possible to limit or contain the damage.

Before you start cleaning, take photographs of the flood damage and mark the highest level of the floodwater on your wall.

Make a list of what has been damaged and keep it somewhere safe. This helps with your contents insurance claim.

Don't throw away flood-damaged furniture, carpets and other belongings until your insurance company tells you it's ok to do this.

Recover your valuables and keepsakes and put them somewhere safe. Use rubber gloves when you are handling them and put them in bags or boxes in a safe place. Most articles can be professionally restored so do not make rash decisions.

Flooding can contain pollutants which can affect the health and wellbeing of a person coming into contact with them. Combat this by applying basic hygiene precautions, including:

  • Washing hands after exposure
  • Decontaminating footwear by washing and treating with a mild disinfectant
  • Keeping children and pets out of the contaminated area.

Flooding and insurance

If you rent your home, 54North Homes is responsible for most flood repairs. However, we are not normally responsible for replacing or repairing any of your personal belongings that are damaged, including furniture.

It is very important that you have your own contents insurance to protect your belongings.

Find out more about insuring your belongings with our low-cost household contents insurance