We’ve put together some tips to help prevent the build-up of stagnant water in your hot and cold water systems. This is generally a bigger issue in the summer.
If you are leaving your home overnight or going away on holiday, turn the cold water stop tap off. This controls the water coming into your home. Turning it off will safeguard against accidental flooding.
Stop taps are usually fitted in a low level place. They are usually near a sink unit, in an entrance hall or ground floor cupboard. Turn them off in a clockwise direction.
When you return home:
- Turn the stop tap on in an anti-clockwise direction.
- Run your hot and cold taps for around three minutes to flush the system.
- If you have a shower, make sure that you let this run for three minutes before getting in.
Scale and sediment can build-up around shower heads and taps. Remove scale from a shower head at least every three months.
Use a clean cloth and suitable scale remover to clean scale and sediment from taps. Please follow the maker’s instructions and take necessary precautions.
Remember to avoid infection in your hot or cold water system:
- Keep it clean
- Keep it moving
- Keep it at the right temperature – below 20 degrees Celsius or above 50 degrees Celsius.