Top Tips (Winter)

The following tips may help you reduce the risk of a plumbing emergency and could save unnecessary expense and distress. Also watch the videos at the foot of the page.

• Find out where your stop valve is located on the incoming water supply main and label it. Check occassionally that it is working.
• Whilst you are looking find where other service valves are located? Label them and check from time to time that they are working correctly.
• Find the location of any drain valves on the system too. These can be used in an emergency to empty your water and central heating systems (once the source of heat has been put out).
• Ensure that the storage system and exposed pipes are properly insulated, particularly in the roof space or attic.
• In very cold weather take special care to prevent water pipes becoming frozen. If you have a storage cistern in the roof space, it’s a good idea to leave the hatch open. Heat from the house will help to keep the cistern and pipes from freezing.
• Inspect your cold water storage cistern (tank) regularly and, if it is metal, make sure it is not corroding. Call in your Regsitered Plumbing Professional if there is any sign of a problem.
• Check the condition of flexible hosepipes to plumbed-in domestic appliances at regular  intervals.
• Dripping taps or continuously running overflow pipes are a sure sign that your plumbing system requires maintenance. To avoid them becoming major problems call in the services of your local Registered Plumbing Professional, who can be found through the CIPHE "Find A Plumber" service.
• Have central heating boilers and other heating appliances serviced yearly.
• If you have a condensing boiler, make sure that the condensate pipework is protected against freezing. click here for useful information
• Make a note of your Registered Plumbing or Heating Professional telephone number for future reference.