Important Property Winter Drain Down & Re-Commissioning Information & Disclaimer

1. If the property has been fully drained down including the wet heating system, whilst this will reduce the risk of water damage caused by low temperatures and extreme forces usually caused by low temperatures this can be difficult to compliance especially during cold periods. This is no guarantee that pipes will not burst as water will usually remain in some of the pipe work and fittings.

2. This also applies to a property that has had a partial drain down of domestic hot and cold water supplies and has had the heating system left full and left on low. Whilst this is the best method to help reduce the risk of bursts and frozen pipes, if the property heating system should breakdown or encounter a power cut then it too could result in frost damage and could suffer the same as a full property drain down. It could then suffer a burst upon thaw or upon re commissioning of domestic hot and cold pipe work including the boiler and system pipe work. If the property has suffered a power cut (this also includes token meters that have insufficient credit) this alone will cause either the gas or electric supply to be disrupted and the boiler will shut down. (Also see paragraph 8)

3. Even well lagged pipes can freeze where there are components that are unheated or benefit from ambient heating. Insulation or lagging is only a barrier so if there is no heat going in it will not prevent freezing.

4. If you have no heat source then the inside of the property will become the average of the outside temperature, in some cases colder than the outside ambient temperature.

5. Once the property has been drained the system will be clearly labeled as appropriate and will also on each label be clearly explained that the system should only be re-commissioned by a plumber as the installation may have been damaged by low temperature or other extreme forces. The labels are also attached to electric showers and immersion heaters. These items can also be damaged if these are turned on whilst drained down. Usually these are also isolated from the fuse board to prevent someone unknowingly trying to use whilst drained down.

6. Landlords and private home owners should also check with their Insurers that they have the appropriate level of cover for a vacant or unoccupied property. (Also see paragraph 8)

7. Upon any recommissioning of any system it should not be left unattended once re commissioned, especially for the first hour or if property is left vacant or unoccupied. Russell Lowder, will take no responsibility during or after re commissioning.

8. Russell Lowder will not be held responsible or liable for any frost damage incurred to any property drained down or for any bursts upon re-commissioning including any other damage suffered from a burst or frost damage. This includes third party re-commissioning the system or any other third party tampering or removal of advisory labels or drained electric showers and immersion heaters. This also applies to any gas heating appliance and its components. Russell Lowder will also not be held responsible for any token meters that have insufficient funds, which causes the meter to shut either the gas/electric supply off then resulting in frost damage. Russell Lowder will also not be held responsible or liable for a failed stop cock or burst from the toby to the stop cock, this is to include any damage resulting in this said mentioned failure.