How to get your central heating ready for winter

How to……………Get your central heating ready for winter

As that first cold snap hits us, we start thinking of the British winter, and making sure that your home is ‘winter-proof’ should be top of your to-do list. Freezing cold mornings come without warning and long winter nights soon draw in, so make sure you’re prepared. According to Lloyds TSB Insurance, dealing with burst pipes caused by freezing conditions, now amounts to an average cost per household of £2,500. The last thing you want it is to wake up on a chilly October morning to find your boiler has stopped working or your living room full of water. Here are five top tips to make your home ‘winter-proof’ plus advice on what to do in case of an emergency:

1 – Insulation and lagging keep the cold out
Water tanks, cisterns and boilers feel the cold during winter and they can stop functioning properly if left without insulation. Insulating-jackets are available for around £20.00 and can easily be fitted by novice DIYers – so you won’t have the expense or hassle of getting a plumber in. The jacket helps to prevent the boiler becoming damaged by keeping winter temperatures out, but make sure that there is no insulation under the water tank because this will act as a barrier for rising heat, causing the tank to become more susceptible to freezing.

Similarly, pipes can be insulated with foam lagging – which is designed to delay freezing in exposed areas for up to eight hours, and works better that the old style felt lagging which becomes worn and damaged. Turn off the system and allow the pipes to cool before you remove any worn or damaged lagging – especially the old style felt lagging. There are a variety of materials available but the most convenient choice is pre-formed foam tubes, at least 20mm-25mm thick – but remember to seal the joins with suitable tape once all the piping has been lagged.

2 – Lime scale affects your central heating system too
For those of you living in hard-water areas, lime scale is something you can’t get away from, be it in your kettle, washing machine or pipe work. Banging or popping noises in your central heating system are often caused by lime scale or corrosion debris becoming baked onto the heat exchanger surface. Circulating heavy-duty de-scaler through the system is an easy and cost-effective way to get your boiler back on top form, preventing the need for a replacement boiler or re-plumbing. Chemical de-scaler is available for under £25 – leave it in the system for a few days then drain, flush through and refill the system. Easy!

3 – Bleed those radiators, fix those drips
All radiators should be bled at least twice a year, as the constant heating and cooling of water naturally releases air bubbles. If the top of the radiator is noticeably cooler that the bottom, there is a good chance that this air has become trapped, reducing the amount of heat given out. This can easily be solved by bleeding the radiator – but don’t do it with the central heating pump on as more air may be sucked in, making the problem even worse! Fit a bleed key onto the valve and wrap an old cloth around it to avoid getting water on your carpet. Slowly twist the key half a turn only and the air inside the radiator should start hissing. When the water starts to trickle out all the air will have been expelled so the valve can be tightened back up – but be careful not to over tighten it!

Similarly, if any taps – inside or out – have been dripping all summer now is the time to finally get them fixed as leaks can cause pipes to freeze up and burst causing a lot of damage.

4 – Service your boiler
In recent months, the dangers of carbon monoxide, caused by blocked flues and un-serviced boilers, have been significantly highlighted and the risks are even more prevalent during the winter. Carbon monoxide is produced by fuel-burning appliances such as boilers and water heaters and is an odourless, colourless and highly poisonous gas. It’s important to check that chimney ventilation and gas flues don’t freeze over or become blocked by snow or leaves during the winter months. In addition, do not obstruct sources of ventilation in an attempt to keep out whistling winter draughts – blocked ventilation can cause a dangerous build up of CO2 in your home. CO2 detectors are a simple way to make you aware of raised levels of carbon monoxide and you can also look out for gas boiler flames that burn orange or yellow instead of blue – however don’t rely on these methods alone.

Annual heating system health checks by CORGI registered engineers are essential. Spending just a few weeks without heating or hot water can pose health problems, especially for the elderly and very young, so it’s important to get your heating system serviced. Even if there appears to be nothing wrong with it, when left over the warm summer months, parts of the heating system may seize up.

5 – Emergencies! Know where your stopcock is
Water in internal and external pipes expand during freezing conditions, sometimes causing pipes to split or crack. Once the ice thaws it will pour through the holes causing hundreds of pounds worth of house-hold damage and possible flooding. Burst pipes can be expensive and awkward to fix and it may involve digging up your garden or drive-way, so make sure you know how to turn off the water supply and where the stop tap is located to limit the amount of damage. The main tap is usually found under the sink or where the service pipe enters your house, alternatively, turn off the stopcock in your cold water tank if you have one – this is usually located in the loft. If you’re too late to turn the water off before the damage has been done, make sure you protect everything around the burst pipe and drain the system – this can be done by turning on cold taps, ready for when the ice melts, and flushing the toilet to empty the system. If you don’t want to wait for the ice to thaw, try using a hairdryer on the pipes starting at the end nearest to the tap but be careful as the burst pipe may spray water as it thaws.

Finally, don’t forget to turn off your central heating, boiler or immersion and don't switch them back on until you are sure that the system has thawed out – if heat is applied suddenly there is a risk of explosion, which is the last thing you need after dealing with burst pipes!

Following this advice your home should stay warm, cosy and safe during the chilly British winter.

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