Residential heating & ventilation W


ith many consequences of leaks, it’s important for plumbing and heating installers to understand the full impact


leaks can have on homeowners and what they can do to help mitigate these.


The implications of leaks:


According to research, an average of £930 million is paid out in water-related insurance claims each year, which accounted for 29% of all claims in the UK in 2019. Another study by Direct Line business insurance found that almost three quarters of landlords have experienced an escape of water incident in their properties over the last five years. Leaky pipes don’t just have financial implications,


it can leave families without water or in some cases force them to move. The Direct Line study also found that an escape


of water incident has caused four in 10 landlords to have tenants move out of their rented property permanently. Plus, a quarter of landlords had a property with substantial enough damage caused by a leak, which meant their tenant needed to move out and they couldn’t let out their property for an extended period. As well as financial implications, the world is


becoming more environmentally conscious, and leaks can play a part in that. Whether it’s a leaky toilet, dripping taps or something larger, these can all lead to huge amounts of wasted water. According to research from the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme, 27% of Brits wait over a week to fix a dripping tap which causes 168 litres of wasted water.


Is prevention possible?


We all know the saying – prevention is better than a cure. But is that the case with plumbing? For the most part, leaks are inevitable. They aren’t necessarily a sign of poor design, quality, or workmanship. However, there are a few things homeowners can do to help increase the longevity of their plumbing, particularly in UK winters. From covering exposed pipes to insulating unheated areas, these measures can help pipes stay warmer and therefore less likely to burst. Although preventing leaks isn’t always possible, detecting them early can help minimise the damage caused.


How do you detect the undetectable? From paying our bills to doing the weekly shop


from our phone, smart technology is making all aspects of our lives easier. So, it’s no surprise that it’s making an impact on the plumbing industry. One of the reasons that leaks can be so devasting


to homeowners is that it’s difficult to notice them until it’s too late. That’s where advances in plumbing technology can come in. There are products now available that can detect


leaks early and prevent water damage, such as Reliance Valves’ MultiSafe Leak Detector Control


20 July 2022


Stopping leaks in their tracks the smart way


From taps that won’t stop dripping, to burst pipes or leaky plumbing connections covered by flooring, there are many causes of leaks within buildings and the costs can really begin to add up, especially if the problems go undetected


Valve system which can constantly monitor water usage. This helps safeguard plumbing systems and identify potential failures. Once a leak is detected an alert is sent and it automatically shuts off water supply. From homes to high-rise buildings and large-


scale developments, the MultiSafe Control Valve system offers peace of mind to homeowners, specifiers, and contractors of all types of construction projects.


Best practice installation advice: The system has been approved by WRAS and


designed to make installation easy by using MBSP union connections. The following are key considerations when installing the system: 1. It should be installed on the main cold-water line before branches to appliances and after any other control valves. 2. Installers should mount the valve using union connections and then insert the battery pack and plug the mains adaptor into a 230v electrical supply (within two metres). 3. Then simply connect to the WiFi and download the free app. For added protection, system’s performance


can be enhanced with the addition of the MultiSafe Floor Leak Sensor , which monitors the floor for wet areas and alerts when water is detected. It can also monitor room temperature and notify when it drops enough to cause pipes to freeze and burst, while also monitoring humidity levels to prevent mould formation. All of this can be controlled with the free app,


where alerts can be set up, insights, such as water usage, can be viewed, and setting adjusted using both home and away settings.


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