How to protect your salon against cold weather issues

In the past there was less of a risk of water damage to properties. Statistics data shows that in 1970 only 30% of UK homes and businesses were fitted with central heating; today this figure is closer to 95%. Similarly, most salons have a washing machine and often a dishwasher too. Washing machines, like dishwashers and central heating, require plumbing and where there is plumbing, there are pipes – and water. So the risk of a salon being flooded by a burst water pipe has increased over the last few decades, but when you also take into account the value of what you have in the premises – stock, equipment, high value electrical machines, as well as ipads, computers, TVs, music systems, high end décor - the damage a burst water pipe can cause can be extremely costly.

Why are there so many claims for burst water pipes in winter?

Essentially burst water pipes occur in winter when the water inside a pipe freezes. Ice expands putting pressure on the pipe, which eventually cracks, and when it bursts thawed water will come pouring from the break. Frozen pipes can be a real disaster for your business, as well as for any of your neighbours if they occupy the premises below yours. Issues typically arise when people leave the premises empty for a few days – such as when closing for the holiday period or over the weekend and you turn off the central heating. If there is a real cold snap, the temperature in your empty premises can drop significantly. So, if you are going to be away for a few days or longer keeping the heating going on low, so the temperature inside the salon does not fall below 14 degrees Celsius is a good tip if you want to avoid coming back to a flooded salon. Considering the costs of drying out the premises, replacing damaged items and the possibility of needing to work from somewhere else when work is being undertaken on your premises: the cost of repair can soon add up significantly. So, when it comes to finding the best coverage on your salon insurance, it could be worthwhile thinking about all of these elements.

What should you do if you discover a burst water pipe?

The first thing you should do is find your main stopcock and make sure that you can turn it on and off. This is often found under the kitchen sink or where the service pipe enters the property. If it is on, turn off the central heating and immersion heater, and turn on the hot taps to help drain the water system. Turn off the power and avoid electrical appliances. Get in touch with an electrician first if you have to stand in water to turn off the mains electricity You should then look to contact your salon insurance provider to make a claim. At this point it may be a good idea to take some photographs – the more evidence you have to back up your claim the better. Prevention is better than cure: Whilst it’s good to know that you have an insurance policy that will assist in the event of a claim, it is far better to not suffer a loss in the first place. Sometimes these things happen but by following these tips you can hopefully avoid a pipe bursting:

1. Make sure pipes are insulated

Exposed pipes are prone to freezing. There are a variety of ways to keep those pipes warm. One way is to add insulation to pipes around the salon – you can use foam insulation, which can be purchased from any DIY store. Simply wrap the foam around the pipe to keep it protected from the cold temperatures. You could also wrap the pipes with heat tape or use thermostatically controlled heat cables. 2. Let your tap drip Most people see a dripping tap as an issue that needs to be fixed. However, during the winter months, it’s actually good to allow your faucet to drip just a little bit. A little bit of water flow keeps pressure low in the pipes. Low pressure, means less of a chance of those pipes bursting! It only needs to be a very small drip and do make sure plugs are not left in the sink that could cause an overflow! 3. Seal up cracks and leaks Caulk should be your best friend this time of year. You want to keep out as much of the cold air as possible. Do a careful inspection of your business to determine if there are any air leaks. Places to look include near dryer vents, windows, electrical wiring and, of course, the pipes. Once you find them, a standard caulk gun and caulk should do the trick in sealing up those leaks and keeping out the chill. 4. Open the doors Whether you’re in the salon or out of town, keep the interior doors open. This allows the heat to move through the building more efficiently. This also helps the heat reach closer to the pipes, reducing the risk of them freezing. 5. Watch the thermostat If you’re not going to be in the salon, make sure to keep your heat set to no lower than 10 degrees Celsius. Yes it is hard to think about paying to keep the heat on while you’re not in the premises, however, you’ll save money in the long run by keeping the premises warmer and avoiding burst pipes. Water damage costs thousands to repair. And that’s a lot more than the few pounds extra it might cost on your heating bill. 6. Disconnect/shut off the water Another tip if you’re going to be out of the salon for a while: Consider shutting off your main water line and draining your water system. This will leave your pipes empty in the house, so no water can freeze inside of them to cause a rupture. Do pay close attention to your insurance policy as leaving the premises unoccupied for more than 30 days has an impact on your coverage. Also, if you have a fire protection system, then this may not be a good option as shutting off the water main means your fire and sprinkler system won’t work. HJ Direct offers insurance for salon owners, self-employed hairdressers and students. For more information go to hjdirect.co.uk.