Winter puts huge stress on plumbing and heating systems, and many breakdowns can be avoided with a little preparation. Here are the essential winter plumbing tips to keep your home safe, warm, and efficient this year.
1️⃣ Protect Your Pipes from Freezing ❄️🔥
Frozen pipes are one of the most common winter emergencies. Lag exposed pipework, keep heating on low if you’re away, open loft hatches to circulate warm air, and make sure you know where your stop tap is.
2️⃣ Look After Your Outside Taps 🚿🧊
Turn off the isolation valve, drain the outside tap, and fit an insulated tap cover. This simple step prevents burst pipes and expensive repairs.
3️⃣ Don’t Ignore Your Boiler 👨🔧🔥
Check boiler pressure (1–1.5 bar), listen for unusual noises, and ensure your condensate pipe is insulated. If you haven’t had a service this year, winter is the worst time to gamble on it.
4️⃣ Keep Radiators Running Efficiently 🔥♨️
Bleed radiators with air in them and check for cold spots. Persistent cold areas could mean the system needs a power flush or system cleanse.
5️⃣ Avoid Frozen Condensate Pipes 🧊🚫🔥
Frozen condensate pipes will shut a boiler down instantly. Insulate the pipe properly, upsize it where possible, or route it internally for maximum reliability.
6️⃣ Check Your Loft Tank (if you have one) 🏠💧
Make sure the lid fits properly, the insulation is intact, and all pipework feeding the tank is lagged to prevent winter leaks from frozen pipes or tanks.
Need help winter-proofing your home? We’re here to help. ❄️🛠️
SAFEXE LTD HEATING AND PLUMBING
📞 01395 489981
📞 07850 260101
📧 info@safexe.co.uk