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Dŵr Cymru is providing free winter lagging kits to help households across Wales prepare for the colder winter months.

With over 2,500 kits available, the initiative aims to assist residents in protecting their homes against frozen pipes and costly bursts.  

The winter lagging kit includes pipe insulation and a tap jacket – with lagging designed to protect exposed pipes and a tap jacket to prevent outdoor taps from freezing and bursting.

Frozen pipes can lead to unwanted damage and unnecessary stress during the winter season, but with the right preparation the risks can be minimised.

Euan Hampton, water demand delivery manager at Dŵr Cymru, said: “We understand how challenging winter can be for many people, which can be made worse should the unexpected happened – such as a experiencing a frozen or burst pipe.

“To help ease the pressures winter can bring, we’re offering free pipe lagging kits and tap jackets as part of our ongoing commitment to helping communities stay safe, warm, and secure throughout the colder months.”

In addition to distributing free lagging kits and tap jackets. Dŵr Cymru recommends the following tips to help residents prepare their homes:

• Locate your stop tap: Knowing the location of your stop tap is essential in the case of an emergency. If your pipes freeze or burst, you’ll want to shut the water off to minimise damage.
• Clear your gutters: Blocked gutters can lead to excess water accessing your home, especially during a storm.
• Insulate pipes: Not only outdoor pipes need preparing, think of areas that may be at risk to cold weather – attics or uninsulated cupboards.
• Dripping taps can increase the risk of frozen pipes. Fixing it will also save you litres of water every day, saving both energy and money on your water bill.
• Empty buildings are at particular risk. If you’re leaving your home for a prolonged period, turn off your stop tap and drain down the system – so there is no water in the system to freeze. If you’re away for a short time, if you can, they suggest keeping your heating on low to help keep your home warm and prevent pipes from freezing.

The free kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To request a free winter lagging kit or tap jacket, customers can visit Dŵr Cymru’s website.