EPC advice causing more burst pipes...

09 January 2009

2812 Reads
9 Comments

Written by Rosalind Renshaw

Householders taking Government advice and heeding recommendations on EPCs to improve their properties by adding extra lagging to their lofts are finding that they have created problems in the current freezing weather.

According to insurers NFU Mutual, the practice is leading to more burst pipes and tanks.

Claims manager Richard Pilkington said: “People who have ‘gone green’ and fitted extra insulation in their lofts are at greater risk of damage to pipes and tanks in their roof spaces.

“When pipes rest above the insulation they become exposed to the cold and this is why they’re freezing. To protect against this it’s vital to install extra insulation around pipes and tanks. The damage from burst pipes can be horrendous.”

He said that in one day alone since the cold snap began, NFU Mutual’s Chester branch received claims for 25 instances of burst pipes.

Comments

- Ian Bristow
Following my utter disbelief at such a badly written and misleading so called "news story", I forgot to add what the EPC actually states for loft insulation.

"1 Loft insulation
Loft insulation laid in the loft space or between roof rafters to a depth of at least 270 mm will significantly
reduce heat loss through the roof; this will improve levels of comfort, reduce energy use and lower fuel bills.
Insulation should not be placed below any cold water storage tank, any such tank should also be insulated on
its sides and top, and there should be boarding on battens over the insulation to provide safe access between
the loft hatch and the cold water tank. The insulation can be installed by professional contractors but also by a
capable DIY enthusiast. Loose granules may be used instead of insulation quilt; this form of loft insulation can
be blown into place and can be useful where access is difficult. The loft space must have adequate ventilation
to prevent dampness; seek advice about this if unsure. Further information about loft insulation and details of
local contractors can be obtained from the National Insulation Association
(www.nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk)."
- 10 January 2009 13:07 PM
- Paul Walker DEA
If EAT had done it's homework it would know that the following statement is shown on an EPC should loft insulation upgrade be recommended;

QUOTE
"Insulation should not be placed below any cold water storage tank, any such tank should also be insulated on its sides and top, and there should be boarding on battens over the insulation to provide safe access between
the loft hatch and the cold water tank".
- 10 January 2009 13:04 PM
- Ian Bristow
I agree with the other posters, and I add; it is not the EPC which is causing the damage; it is apathy and lack of knowledge / training from other areas which are causing the trouble.
The insulation is keeping the heat in the house and not heating up the loft space, it makes sense that water tanks etc. will not be heated up to the same level and are therefore subject to freezing, we live in the northern hemisphere where it gets cold from time to time.
This kind of misreporting combined with the obvious lack of research, knowledge and understanding will not help anyone; had you looked a little bit deeper into this you could have offered a solution as suggested by Richard instead of looking for a cheap headline.
- 10 January 2009 11:19 AM
- Paul Walker DEA
I signed up to EAT as there are normaly some good information in their articles.

But this article is utter rubbish!

A "Slow news day"?
- 10 January 2009 10:00 AM
- Colin Bailey Dip DEA
It always to instruct a good DEA and listen to the impartial honest advice they offer. Most DEAs have expertise in property related matters the public may not be aware of. Don't knock the poor DEA BLAME the muppets that don't listen to free advice!
- 09 January 2009 23:18 PM
- Richard
Any reputable company installing loft insulation would also ensure the pipes & tanks are properly lagged. If they are using disreputable companies then why should we worry about such idiots? Equally, if some DIY numpty doesn't do the tank & pipe lagging then they should not be granted access to their own loft spaces anyway because with that level of intelligence they'd probably stomp around on the plaster.
But hey, this means EPCs are doing their job and people are taking heed of them; or it's a non-story (whichever pleases you).
- 09 January 2009 15:34 PM
- hipper
i stand corrected and retract my previous comments, no homehunter school wasnt my best years.but actually homehunter it is record cold is certain area's of the uk
- 09 January 2009 11:30 AM
- HomeHunter
Didn't hipper learn anything at school! RP is spot on. Thicker insulation at the loft floor level reduces warmth in the loft area above it where many older properties still have water pipes and tanks. Insulation on the pipes only works to a certain degree. It is not record cold weather but prolongued periods at zero at which point water freezes. No heat in the loft at all then results in bursts you dumbo.
- 09 January 2009 10:53 AM
- hipper
This is the biggest load or rubbish i have ever heard, so homeowners adding extra insulation is creating there pipes to burst, could this not just be due to the record cold weather we have had this story has no purpose and is just looking to lash out at people trying to do the right thing by global warming and their bills.Richard Pilkington is this really what you belive is the problem maybe the fact that the pipes didnt have insulation in the first place
- 09 January 2009 09:38 AM