People only tend to think of plumbing or plumbers when something goes wrong. Most people will regularly have their cars serviced, but do you have your central heating and plumbing systems checked each year? Think of the value of your car compared with your home. Many disasters can be avoided if discovered soon enough. The Institute advises that you take the time to get your heating and plumbing systems checked over once a year to find any faults before they turn into major problems.

Unfortunately sometimes plumbing emergencies such as burst and frozen pipes do happen, but you can take steps to limit the damage while you are waiting for your plumber to arrive. Keep in mind that if you are a regular customer a plumber is more likely to drop other work for you in times of emergency.

Burst Pipes
Try not to panic! The first thing to do is to prevent water passing the point of the leak. Start by turning off all stop valves (sometimes called stop cocks, often found under the kitchen sink) and if the escaping water cannot be controlled immediately, open all cold water taps so that the pipework and storage system drains quickly. DON'T TURN ON HOT TAPS. Turn off the central heating system and, if it uses a solid fuel boiler, allow the fire to die out. Switch off any electric immersion heater, then call your plumber.

Frozen Pipes
If a pipe freezes, turn off the mains water supply at the stop valve inside your home (if fitted) - these are often sited under the kitchen sink. If there isn't an internal valve, turn off the water at the external valve which may be under a cover in your garden or path. If the frozen pipe runs from a storage cistern and is not controlled by a valve, check that it hasn't split. If it has, empty the cold water storage cistern either by opening the cold water taps and flushing the WC or by siphoning the water from the cistern with a garden hose, then call your plumber. If the pipe isn't split, thaw it out by applying hot water bottles or by careful use of an electric hair dryer.

• Don't try to thaw it too quickly as there may be splits in the pipe which are not immediately noticeable.
• Never use a naked flame to thaw a pipe.
• Always start thawing a pipe at the end nearest the tap.

If any part of the hot water system is frozen, there could be a risk of explosion if the boiler (or other heat source) is kept alight, so ensure it is turned off, or for solid fuel systems, extinguish the fire.

Be careful because although water may be flowing from taps, other parts of the system may still be frozen.

Finding a plumber in an emergency
If you have a regular plumber who services your plumbing or heating system every year you will be in a better position than those who do not. A plumbing and heating engineer who sees you as a regular customer will come to your aid as soon as possible. Remember to keep the name and telephone number of your plumber somewhere handy for emergencies so that everyone in your household knows who to call. If your plumber cannot help you s/he may be able to recommend other competent businesses in your area.

If you do not have a regular plumber you can take steps to ensure you employ a competent person.

• If you have an emergency such as a burst or frozen pipe, first take the actions described above.
• Use an IPHE Registered Plumber. They have to have qualifications and experience and adhere to a five point Code of Professional Standards.
• 24 hour emergency plumbers are going to charge more than a plumber with fixed daytime working hours.
• Ask what the call out fee will be. Find out the hourly rate and if it is per plumber find out how many plumbers will attend.
• If you have the situation under control for the time being, get at least three different quotes.
• When you are describing the problem on the phone be as clear as you can.
• Do not pay money before the job is completed.
• If the problem involves an appliance that uses gas, you must use a CORGI registered engineer.
• You can find IPHE Registered Plumbers online through the search facility, you can phone Head Office on 01708 472791 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday except Bank Holidays), or look out for IPHE Corporate advertisements in the Thomson Directories or Yellow Pages. If you are looking though adverts for a plumbing and heating engineer always look out for the IPHE logo and designatory letters - either FIPHE, MIPHE or AIPHE.

Smell gas?
Transco operate a free emergency 24 hour telephone number that you can call if you believe you have a gas leak on 0800 111 999.

If you can smell gas you must:

• Never light a naked flame/smoke/strike a match etc
• Never turn on or off any electrical switches
• Always put out naked flames
• Always open doors and windows
• Keep people away from the affected area
• Turn off the gas meter at the control valve

Transco is the UK gas transportation and emergency service, for more information please visit www.transco.uk.com.