as the big thaw continues.
YW leakage manager Tony O’Shea said: “As temperatures rise and things start to thaw leaks become visible. We’ve seen an increase in daily water usage since the cold snap so it is highly likely that there are leaks we have yet to find.
“We still need people to be our eyes and ears and to report any leaks they see, but we’re asking them to go a step further and check buildings they own such as office blocks, garages, or any disused building to ensure that a leak hasn’t developed or that taps haven’t inadvertently been left running.
“Householders should also keep an eye on their pipes as the weather warms up, but it’s likely people would spot a leak at home pretty quickly, so it’s the empty buildings we’re most concerned about where leaks could flow unnoticed for prolonged periods of time.”
If someone does spot a leak on one of their pipes, the first thing they should do is turn off their stop tap, which is normally found under the kitchen sink. This will quickly stop the water flow and any further damage caused by any leak.
Every year, following cold snaps like the recent one, the company receives hundreds of calls from concerned business and homeowners who have suffered flooding as a result of cracked pipes which have ruptured as the frozen water inside them has begun to thaw.
