Your boiler may be working, but is your central heating system truly winter ready? This blog will detail our 10 step check that we carry out to make sure it is! The winter ready check also includes a boiler service.
Step 1 – Boiler Safety
This step checks whether your boiler is operating safely and not leaking any harmful gasses into your property. This is the most crucial point as it will make sure that you and your family are protected. At this stage, we will also check carbon monoxide alarms if you have any!
Step 2 – Boiler Performance
At this stage, we would carry out checks to ensure that the boiler is performing as it should be. It may seem like it is working to the naked eye. However when it come to winter the last thing you want is to be left with no heating or hot water!
Step 3 – Boiler Efficiency
When it comes to boiler efficiency, we would ensure that you are getting the best out of your boiler and the settings are at optimum levels for efficiency. This will mean that the boiler isn’t working overtime to produce heating and hot water. This will essentially save you money!
Step 4 – Filters
When installing boilers, we ensure that they are all fitted with a magnetic filter to catch sediment and magnetite from the system. However, that isn’t always the case. If no magnetic filter is installed, we would advise that one would be fitted. If there is a filter fitted, we would ensure that it is cleaned and in good working order. A filter plays a big part in the protection of your boiler.
Step 5 – Controls
During our check, we will also ensure that your controls are connected to your boiler and set correctly so that your heating is coming on when it needs. We will also be happy to explain the way that a thermostat works to ensure you aren’t spending money on heating bills that you don’t need to!
Step 6 – Condensate Pipe
During “The Big Freeze” a couple of years ago, a number of condensate pipes were frozen and locked out the boiler. Until an engineer came, a number of households were without heating and hot water. We check to ensure that the condensate pipe is exiting the wall at the correct size and that it is insulated to a standard that will prevent freezing!
Step 7 – Radiators
At this stage, we will check that all radiators in the household are getting hot. We will also check that all radiator valves are working.
Step 8 – External pipework
Visible pipework throughout the property will be checked to ensure that it is in good condition and not damaged. We will also advise on any pipework external to the property and how to prevent freezing!
Step 9 – Water Quality
As we have mentioned on previous blogs, water quality is vital to the health of the boiler and central heating. At this stage of the check, we would take a small sample of the water and check the quality and colouring. Our engineers will show you the results and let you check to see if you can see the target in their testing equipment!
Step 10 – Stop tap
Finally, we will check to make sure that your stop tap is operating correctly so that when turned off, all of the water to the property goes off. We will also ensure it is in good working order should an emergency arise.
If you would like any further information or to book in your winter ready check, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
As always, thank you for reading. Stay safe!
Thanks,
Shannon, Dale & DTS Plumbing Team