plumbing services

Plumbing Checks You Should Make Before Winter And Plumbing Services You Might Need

While we’re in the midst of summer, it’s easy to forget that winter is fast approaching and that the cold weather will soon be upon us, and then overlook the plumbing services that you might need in the future.

As such, you need to make sure you prepare your home before the temperature drops. That isn’t as difficult as it might sound; you’ve just got to make sure that you check your home’s plumbing so that it’s working effectively.

If you ignore small issues now, then you could find that they turn into severe problems in the future and that you’re left without heat or water when you need it the most.

As a leading plumbing services provider, Three Counties Plumbing knows what you need to check and look out for in the summer to make sure that your home is ready for the winter. We love sharing our insight with our loyal customers and followers, which is why we’ve put together this guide to the plumbing checks you need to make now to save yourself from a nasty shock later.

Check The Boiler

The boiler is one of the most vital parts of your home; after all, it supplies the hot water for your taps as well as your central heating.

In the winter, a broken boiler can cause serious problems, so check that it’s working effectively in the summer, and book your annual boiler service now to avoid a long wait later in the year.

When you’re checking your boiler, the first thing that you should do is see if it is firing up your central heating correctly. Check the timer and thermostat, and then turn on a radiator and see if the boiler starts sending hot water to it immediately. If it takes a lot of time, or the boiler doesn’t turn the heating on at all, then you should get your boiler checked as soon as possible.

You should also check the boiler pressure, to make sure that there aren’t any leaks or problems that could be causing the boiler to work ineffectively.

To check the boiler pressure yourself, look at the pressure gauge and then adjust it slightly, and see if the water moves faster. If you notice that nothing is happening, then check the pipes and adjust the filling loop.

If the boiler is still not working, then you should call out an expert, who can take a look and talk you through the plumbing services that will help. Your boiler is essential even in the summer- no one likes a cold shower!

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Bleed Your Radiators

If you notice that your radiators aren’t working, then this could be a sign that the boiler isn’t functioning correctly, but it could also mean that your radiators have too much air in the pipes.

To check if this is the case, you need to bleed your radiators. That might sound challenging, but it’s surprisingly easy if you know how to do it.

The first step is to turn off your central heating and allow the radiators to cool down, during which time you can dig out the radiator key.

Once the radiators are cool to the touch, insert the radiator key into the valve on the side. Place a cloth or small dish under the valve to catch any escaping water.

Place a towel under the valve, so that you don’t end up with water all over the floor. Insert the key into the valve, and slowly turn it. You might hear a hissing sound- that’s just the unwanted air leaving. You know that the radiator bleeding is complete when water comes out of the valve; at this point, you should turn the key back to close the valve.

Repeat this process with every radiator in your home, then restart the central heating and check that the radiators work. If any radiators still aren’t working after you’ve bled them, then you should call us immediately, and a member of our team will visit your home to help.

Watch Out For Water Stains

Damp patches in your home could be a sign that there’s a leak in one of your pipes, so you need to keep an eye out for them, even during the summer.

Leaks can be harder to fix in the winter, as the cold weather makes pipes freeze and many plumbers, Three Counties Plumbing included, often get more call-outs and longer waiting lists.

So, if you notice any water stains in your home during the summer, you should call us on 0800 9247937, and we’ll come and fix the pipe to keep your home safe and comfortable all year round.

Contact The Professionals

If you notice anything amiss with your home’s plumbing, or you want to book a boiler service, then you should reach out to an expert plumbing team.

Three Counties Plumbing is an affordable plumber that can support you and make sure that your home’s plumbing and heating systems are working efficiently before the cold weather sets in so that you don’t have to worry about being left in the cold this winter.

Contact us, and our Gas Safe plumbing specialists will be more than happy to provide the plumbing services that you need to get your home cosy and snug in time for the colder weather. If you want to learn more about plumbing, then check out our blog, which is full of practical plumbing tips.

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