Brits Turn to YouTube to Fix Leaks as Affinity Water Urges Households to Get Winter Ready
- 1 in 5 people have tried to fix a water leak in their home, with over a third turning to YouTube or online videos for advice
- Affinity Water has launched its Get Winter Ready video series to help people protect their homes, fix leaks and save water this winter
- Got a leak? Affinity Water’s free My Water Footprint Leak Visit service can help customers fix common household leaks – from dripping taps to leaking toilets and pipes
NEWS: Wednesday 3 December: Research from Affinity Water’s ‘Water Saving House Guidebook’ highlights a generational skills gap when it comes to saving water at home and with winter approaching, the risks are rising.
While 1 in 5 people (21%) have already fixed a leak at home, younger generations feel less confident in their DIY skills. However, many under-35s admit they’re hesitant to make calls, like phoning a plumber or professional for help, with the survey finding they’re more likely to look online for advice and try to fix problems themselves instead.
More than a third (37%) turn to YouTube or online videos for advice, compared with 22% who ask friends and 21% who call a professional.
With colder weather bringing a higher risk of burst pipes, frozen taps and hidden leaks, Affinity Water is urging everyone to take a few simple steps now to protect their homes and save water.
To help, Affinity Water has launched a series of short, practical videos showing easy water-saving and winter-proofing tips to try at home this season, including:
- Insulating your pipes – How to lag any exposed pipework, especially in colder areas like lofts or garages.
- Keeping your home warm – Maintain a low heat and make sure you know where your stop tap is in case of a burst.
- Fixing leaks early – Don’t ignore dripping taps or hidden leaks – they can quickly worsen in freezing weather.
- Protecting outdoor taps – Turn off, disconnect, and cover outside taps and hoses to stop them freezing.
- Saving water – Fit water-efficient taps and showerheads or add aerators to cut water use all year round.
Affinity Water also offers a free Leak Visit service for customers who spot or suspect a leak at home. A plumber will visit to help find and fix the issue, saving water and money while preventing more serious damage during the winter months.
Tom Stoten, Head of Demand Management at Affinity Water, said: “Many people are surprised at how easy it can be to make a real difference at home. Simple actions like fixing a dripping tap or fitting a water-saving device can feel daunting at first, but our research shows that once people give it a try, most succeed. For those who need a little extra support, we’re here to help, whether that’s through our free Leak or Home Visit service, or by using our quick ‘Look & Listen’ test to spot hidden leaks before they cause damage. By taking small DIY steps now, households can save thousands of litres of water a year and help prevent bigger issues this winter and beyond.”
To learn more about easy ways to save water and protect your home this winter, watch the Get Winter Ready playlist on Affinity Water’s YouTube channel (@AffinityWater) or visit affinitywater.co.uk/winter-ready.