Water Leaks 'Cost Britons £1.8 billion'

Spring is typically the time of year when unseasonably warm spells are interspersed with cold snaps; being the peak time for domestic leaks. When temperatures drop below freezing, frozen water within pipes expand, causing the pipe to swell and crack. Once this thaws, water can leak from the cracks, causing considerable damage.

Billions of pounds worth of damage is being caused by domestic water leaks each year in Britain, with millions of households having their home insurance policies put under strain by leaky pipes.

Washing machines, showers and running taps have been highlighted as the main sources of water damage, costing an annual £1.8 billion across the UK as a whole. It is thought that 230 million litres of water damage is caused each year, according to a well know high street building society.

Following these reports, experts are urging homeowners to make sure that their home insurance policies cover potential water damage. In addition, it is recommended that regular checks are carried out as a preventative measure. This highlights that fact that new and older properties alike can be vulnerable to flooding.

"The trend for homes with multiple bathrooms and the current vogue for wet rooms have significantly increased the risk of water leaks and damage," said a spokesman for the company:

"Older properties are vulnerable as a result of corroding pipes."

One-in-three homeowners in Britain do not have buildings insurance, says the company. This is a big worry for anyone with water damage, which can be costly to put right, at an average cost of £560 per incident. Water from a burst pipe within a loft space can very quickly cause damage to plaster ceilings, wall plaster, kitchen units, electrical wiring and decoration, as well as carpets, beds, electrical items and other contents within a property. A very unlucky 60,000 homeowners each year face bills in excess of £10,000 after leaking water has devastated their property.

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