Northumbrian Water are offering farmers support on how they can beat the freeze this winter and avoid unnecessary expenses.
The water company is urging the farming community to be winter-ready or potentially face the hassle, not to mention the cost, of repairing a burst water pipe and the damage they can cause during the most expensive season of the year.
With temperatures predicted to plummet to the coldest of this decade this winter, there is a greater risk of pipes freezing or bursting - leaving businesses without hot running water.
According to the Association of British Insurers, a burst pipe could cost on average a whopping £8,800 to fix.
Therefore, the utility company is asking farmers to isolate unused troughs, check for leaks above-ground pipework, especially in cold areas that are not insulated.
Jim Howey, Head of Water Networks North at Northumbrian Water, said: "We'd urge customers to check the pipework within the boundary of their property, which is their responsibility and to do what they can to protect it from freezing or bursting this winter period.
"We know that winter can be a really tough time for the farming community, so we want to make it as stress-free as possible by giving our top tips to avoid unnecessary costs."
Paul Hammett, National Water Resources Specialist from the National Farmers Union, added: "We welcome this timely advice and urge farmers to get into the routine of checking pipes and checking bills. Undetected leaks can be a real issue for farms - and prove costly as well.
"We also encourage farmers to have plans in place so they know how to act in response to water supply interruption or a significant drop in water pressure."
Here are Northumbrian Water's free, simple steps to protect your farm during the colder months:
- Map out where all the pipes are on your farm.
- Label stop taps and valves and regularly check them.
- Check the pipes leading up to remote troughs.
- Fix dripping taps and faulty washers.
- Insulate exposed pipes, cisterns, tanks, taps and water meters.
- Isolate and where possible, drain down pipework in unheated buildings during prolonged cold conditions.
- If supply is required to or through unheated buildings, ensure pipework is protected from draughts and is well lagged and check it does not freeze or/burst. Consider trace heating.
- If possible, isolate any outside taps and drain any associated hoses.
- Have a selection of key spares to hand in case they are required (ball valves, Isolation valves, pipework and joints).
For more ways to protect your business, visit - www.nwl.co.uk/beatthefreeze