Freezing:Check and confirm that pipework that is exposed to very cold temperatures is properly insulated. Look at pipes in the attic and basement if you have them fitted there. If you have an outside tap, turn off and dont use it during the cold weather. Knowing Valves:Locate and remember where your main stopcock is so that it can be switched off in an emergency. Bromley Plumbers can supply and fit valves. Take a walk around your plumbing system and spend some time finding out the different valves you have in the house and you could even label them. Valves seize up over their lifetime if they are not used, so make point of turning them off and on again a couple of times a year to keep them in working order. Machine Hoses:Flexi hoses that connect appliances such as washing machines need to be checked once a year for signs of wear and tear. They move lots of water. Check the connections at each end of the hoses as well to make sure they are not dripping.Waste Outlets and Drains:Waste-water outlet pipework should be checked at a regular interval. Many drains have a removable filter which can be cleaned easily. If you need to clear a drain, try and use a plunger rather than a chemical agent. Outside drains can easily block with leaves etc. You can Fit a leaf guard and run a hose to check flow once a year. A Bromley Plumber is trained to work on all types of drains.Hard Water:Hard water area plumbing develops lime scale deposits around taps and showerheads and on the inner walls of pipes. Vinegar is a great solution for cleaning a lime scale build up. There are plenty of other areas where lime scale can build up, washing machines, dishwashers, boilers and heating systems. One consideration is fitting a water softener.Emergency Plumbing:If you know how to deal with a plumbing emergency you could save a lot of stress and expense. Theres a product called LLFA tape that can seal a split pipe – it might be worth keeping some in your toolbox.