There’s little you can do when things have reached a critical stage and you’re in need of plumbing assistance, but more often than not, your plumbing issues didn’t just start today.
Many problems are a result of a lack of heating system maintenance over a long period of time. By following these simple maintenance tips below, you can usually get away with not needing a plumber for many a year. However, if you do need one, know that we’re always happy to oblige!
Stopcock
The stopcock has an important job: in the case of a leak, you need to be able to immediately shut off the water to avoid further damage. Stopcocks are often found in kitchens, utility areas or storage cupboards. If you live in an older property, make sure you turn your stopcock at least once a year to stop it seizing up. If you reside in a new build, your stopcock might be easier to spot as it’s sometimes fitted near your electrical panel in the kitchen or hall.
Valves
Ever wondered why your radiators don’t seem to work as well when winter rolls around? Often they’ll have been stuck at the same temperature all year. To avoid having your radiator seize up, you should adjust the temperature throughout the year, changing it slightly to stop sludge settling in the system.
Heating
Turning on your heating for five minutes every few weeks, especially in the warmer months, will minimise the likelihood of blockages forming. Problems start to arise if you leave your heating system lying dormant for weeks, or even months, at a time.
Water and pipes
If you live in a hard water area and you have a thermostatic shower, you’ll want to adjust the temperature once or twice a week. Leaving it as it is for prolonged periods of time can cause it to scale up, leading to issues down the line. You should also check the insulation on your pipes regularly as well, as this will ensure your system works well throughout the cold winters that we sometimes get in the UK.
In short, some routine checks and minor maintenance should keep your heating system working well throughout the year, but if you do run into problems, be sure to let us know and we’ll do our best to fix your problem quickly and efficiently. Here at CentraHeat, we’re proud of our reputation as a go-to local company for people experiencing issues with their heating systems.