With the cold weather, home owners could be suffering the misery of burst pipes thanks to poorly lagged roof spaces, basements, outbuildings and pipework exposed to the chill generally, says Wavin, supplier of water management, plumbing, heating and drainage systems. Apart from the cost of plumbing remedials, the effects can be catastrophic in terms of ruined walls, floors, furnishings and other damage associated with flooding, Wavin explains.<br> <br> One key means of reducing the risk of burst pipes is by installing Hep2O plastic push-fit plumbing systems – and certainly using it for repairs – to better resist the effects of the cold, says Wavin. Although plastic plumbing should still be insulated to reduce risk of freezing, it maintains its flexibility in temperatures as low as -15°C, the company claims.<br> <br> This significantly reduces the likelihood of bursts, even at sub-zero temperatures, when the water has frozen to ice, therefore expanding its volume. Unlike rigid systems, Hep2O pipe can accept a level of expansion without fracturing, and will resume its original size after a thaw.<br> <br> www.hep2o.co.uk