We aren’t expecting to get a white Christmas but we could end up with some in January? We can’t be sure, but the last thing you want is to be without central heating and a boiler when this happens. In the past many homeowners across the UK have been caught out when the cold snap appears, and are literally left in the cold.
Christmas is expensive enough without needing to call out a gas safe registered engineer to carry out a boiler repair. Maintaining your boiler correctly over the winter can help to reduce the need for boiler repairs and central heating repairs.
Top Tips for Boiler Maintenance
Keep Your Pipes From Freezing
In freezing temperatures even the best-maintained boiler will struggle to function if its pipes condensate and then freeze. To prevent pipes from freezing it’s important to make sure you insulate the pipe by wrapping it in some old towels or rags immediately to prevent it from freezing. This usually comes in a variety of sizes so bear in mind to measure it before you buy it. When measured and cut, wrap the condensation pipe in the insulation and this should help prevent the pipe from freezing.
Keep You Boiler Running
As a temporary measure it may also help to keep your central heating on a constant setting, having it go offer regularly throughout the day. We certainly recommend this as an ongoing solution, as it goes against the idea of having an energy efficient boiler, but as a temporary fix, it’s worth doing.
Undertake Boiler Servicing
If at any time you need your boiler to be working to optimal efficiency, it’s during the winter months. In most cases boiler breakdown problems occur because of common faults and usually because it hasn’t been serviced for some time. Like a car, your boiler needs to be serviced on a regular basis. Getting your boiler serviced before it gets too cold would be advisable before problems start occurring.
Power Flushing
If you’ve got an older central heating system over time this can become inefficient because of blocked pipes, preventing radiators from heating up correctly. A black sludge can build up in your central heating system and can cause your radiators to get cold spots. Getting rid of these cold spots is fairly easy with an effective technique called Power Flushing. Water and cleaning chemicals are pumped through your radiators at high pressure which flushes out any build-up of dirt, often a back sludge that is causing a blockage. By Power Flushing all your radiators, you will be making your central heating system more efficient which will save you money on your heating bills and potential money spent on central heating repairs. Power flushing helps to improve the overall efficiency of boilers and heating systems, helping to improve the lifespan of your boiler.
Running Smoothly Throughout Winter
By undertaking some simple boiler and central heating tips, or having a heating engineer, carry out services can help to maintain and keep your boiler running smoothly throughout the winter. A correctly maintained boiler will ensure your boiler runs smoothly all year around, not just through the winter.
