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The water company, which serves around eight million people across the Midlands, is asking its customers to make a New Year’s resolution to insulate unheated water pipes in lofts and to cover external taps to prevent them from bursting in freezing temperatures.

Howard Perry, Energy Manager at Severn Trent, said: “Extreme temperatures can cause huge problems for household water pipes so we’re asking our customers to make a New Year’s resolution to look after their home’s water pipes.

“Many people don’t realise that, as water freezes within a pipe in your house it expands, putting pressure on joints which can result in splits or bursts.

“Lagging pipes is actually really easy and cheap, and it helps to insulate your pipes, potentially saving thousands of pounds as bursts are not only devastating, but messy and expensive to fix.

“We don’t want people to gamble on it being a mild winter this year, and would encourage them to make a resolution to make their homes even more protected against cold weather.”

Howard added that Severn Trent is helping customers find reliable WaterSafe certified plumbers ahead of the winter months and are providing support to vulnerable customers through a specialised team.To support homeowners and businesses,

Severn Trent is providing information on its website where people can learn how to lag pipes, the key things to look out for, and how to fit external tap guards. The website also includes information on how to find a stop tap outside a home or business. The site is available here.