Winter time is the worst time of the year to be unprepared
The last thing you want to be worrying about at this time is whether its your turn to become the unfortunate victim of a plumbing problem, the kind that seem to occur resulting in frozen pipework or clogged drains.
We have put together a few helpful tips to steer clear of these unwelcome and annoying scenarios to give you a stress free winter
Protect yourself against frozen pipe work
With the cold winter weather causing water to freeze, this is a problem when water freezes in a pipe it increases the pressure on the pipes and joints, often causing them to split or joints to fall apart
Check all pipes inside your home and make sure any external pipes outside your home are lagged and protected before your local DIY store can help advise on the right installation
You can protect your pipes and fittings from freezing by:
* Insulating all pipes in unheated areas like lofts, roofs, garages and outbuildings
* Fitting your water tank with an insulation jacket or alternativley the top and sides of the tank can be wrapped with suitable insulation material (we advise not to place insulation under the tank as this stops heat from the rooms below helping to keep the water in the tank from freezing )
* Leave your heating on low setting especially if your home is empty for a while
* Checking your central heating boiler has been serviced
* Finding your stop tap-so you can turn off the water supply quickly if a pipe freezes or bursts most are under the kitchen sink, garage
* Giving a neighbour a key for your home or contact details for someone to help in an emergency if you are away
* Have your leaks on taps or valves as soon as you discover them.
Getting your boiler winter ready
It is best to ensure your boiler is in tip top condition before the winter arrives as the last thing you need is a breakdown in freezing temperatures
Before calling a professional there are a few things you can do to keep your boiler functioning well, Like a car, if the boiler is left switched off for months at a time , when it is then turned on it may stutter or fail to work effectively. So throughout the summer months its recommended to turn the boiler on regularly for short periods of time
Check the colour of the flame on the gas boiler . If it is any colour but blue call a gas safe registered engineer immediately as you may be in danger .If the flame is yellow, there is likely to be a serious problem which will need addressing immediately.
When the boiler is on , does it sound normal? We have received a few calls recently from our customers reporting noises from their boilers including loud clanging noises this will need to be looked and repaired.
Bleed your radiators
Regularly bleeding the radiators can help both the radiators themselves and the boiler. Faulty radiators mean the boiler has to work harder, cutting efficiency and costing more.
This is a straight forward job and dosent need a qualifies plumber or heating engineer.To do this , open the valve on the radiator and allow any trapped air to escape.This will enable the radiators to heat up fully.
It may also be a good idea to power flush your radiators every couple of years- this is essentially a deep clean of the radiators by flushing a cleaning chemical through the system . This flushes out any trapped dirt and debris and will ensure they function to full capability
Boiler Pressure
We also recommend that every couple of months it is a good idea to check the boiler pressure to ensure it is maintaining an even pressure. Most boilers should have a pressure of one bar.If the pressure gauge is below this then follow the instructions in the manual or call us at Allen and Clarke to top up the pressure for you
Annual boiler servicing
In addition to self-maintenance, your boiler should be serviced annually to spot any problems before they happen which can then reduce the chance of your boiler breaking down
Call our office our team will be happy to help and get your serviced booked with one of our Gas Safe Registered engineers we offer competitive rates and senior citizen discount so please tell your friends and family
01206 738979
LOOKING TO UPGRADE YOUR BOILER HEATING SYSTEM ?
INTRODUCING NEW FACE -TIME VIDEO QUOTATIONS
We recognize it can be hard to find time during the working day for us to visit your home and quote for a new installation. You can simply book with us a 15 minute Face-time video call,during which you’ll use your smart phone or tablet to show us your existing boiler and a few other aspects of your central heating , gas or water systems.
We can then give you a written quote via email the following working day tailored to your home and requirements.
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www.allenandclarkeplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk
Many thanks your local Allen and Clarke Plumbing and Heating Team