December 2001

• Frozen Pipes?
• Be Prepared

The big freeze?

Snow, ice and floods appear to be rampaging through Europe at the moment. The big question is, will this terrible weather hit the UK soon? If it does, there are bound to be many households that will encounter a plumbing emergency of some description over the Christmas period, or early in the New Year.

So, what do you do in such an emergency? How do you avoid hiring a cowboy who is going to make the situation worse and then charge you a small fortune? Obviously, if water is pouring through your ceiling it is difficult not to panic. We all know prevention is better than cure, but it doesn't help much when you find yourself in such a crisis. The Institute of Plumbing gives the following advice:

• If water is leaking, turn off your stopcock.
• If you have been lucky enough to find a trustworthy, competent plumber in the past, they should be your first port of call.
• If you haven't, visit www.registeredplumber.com for a list of Registered Plumbers in your area. The database is updated daily.
• Or look in Yellow Pages, Thomson Directories for the Institute's corporate advertisements
• If you are using a local paper, look for plumbers displaying the Institute's logo.

The Chief Executive, Andy Watts, adds the following warning. "Professional plumbers are always in great demand, so we always advise the public to get their plumbing systems checked out before the bad weather sets in. To make matters worse, there is a huge skills shortage at the moment, with 29,000 extra plumbers required over the next five years. It's no small wonder that the cowboy makes the most of this situation."

And remember, if you are going away for Christmas or New Year, leave the thermostat set low to help prevent pipes from freezing.

ENDS (300 WORDS)
DECEMBER 2001
The Institute of Plumbing is the UK plumbing industry's professional body. It is a registered educational charity with around 10,800 members who are competent in plumbing via formal qualifications or extensive experience and abide by a Code of Professional Standards. The Institute's principal aim is to raise the standards of plumbing in the public interest. For more information on this press release or the Institute of Plumbing, please contact Carol Cannavan at The Institute of Plumbing, 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6NB, tel: 01708 463114 (direct line), fax: 01708 448987, email: carolc@plumbers.org.uk.

Ode to the Public

Be Prepared - a motto very true,
not just for Scouts and Guides,
but him and me and ... you.

We take it all for granted, the plumbing in our homes.
Turn on the taps the water flows, the central heating drones.
The boiler heats the water, we shower, bathe and launder,
But do we always bother to keep these things in working order?

Our boilers work much better when clear of sooty grime,
So ask your local plumber to inspect from time to time.
Likewise so, our pipes need tender loving care.
Wrap them warm and cosy from Jack Frost lurking there.

If away on holiday, there's something you should know,
To prevent pipes bursting, keep your thermostat low.
And in the loft don't forget - if there's a storage cistern,
To protect from the cold the tank that feeds the system.

To find a local plumber is simple as can be,
Look in the Yellow Pages or Thomson directory.
The Institute of Plumbing displays an ad that's plain to see,
Listing plumbers registered with the IoP.

So be prepared this winter, avoid those frozen ills.
Take a few simple steps to foil those icy chills.
Service now your boilers, lag those pipes and tanks,
Listen to your plumber..and then to him give thanks!

To find a Registered Plumber in your area either ring the Institute of Plumbing on 01708 472791, visit www.registeredplumber.com or look in Yellow Pages or Thomson Directories.

ENDS
DECEMBER 2001
The Institute of Plumbing, founded in 1906, is the UK plumbing is a registered educational charity whose principal aim is to improve plumbing standards in the interests of the community as a whole.
Further information can be obtained from Carol Cannavan, on 01708 463114 (direct line), fax 01708 448987 or email carolc@plumbers.org.uk.

• Frozen Pipes?
• Be Prepared