Most of us take our plumbing for granted – until it goes wrong. And when it does, it usually goes wrong when it’s most inconvenient. The heating goes off in the middle of winter, the toilet blocks just when we have guests arriving and the leaks pour down on a Saturday night when the plumber is out of hours. But there are ways you can prepare for the worst, apart from crossed fingers and a dose of “hope it never happens”. These three essential checks give you some ideas. Also have the emergency plumber of a local plumber to hand.
One
Regular Servicing, especially of your boiler, may prevent a cold snap overworking a worn-out system. So, it’s good to get an annual check in the summer months, then there is plenty of time to sort out any problems before winter sets in. And if you schedule a regular boiler check it can save you money in the long term as the plumber will be able to make sure all is running efficiently. Additionally, of course, it can be dangerous to have a blocked boiler as then carbon monoxide which is highly toxic but odourless and invisible. can creep out into your room and even kill you.
Two
Lag Your Pipes Burst pipes can cause considerable damage and always happen just as the ice is melting, so it’s cold and the plumbers are often run off their feet. Check the lagging on your pipes. Often the attic can be a cold place, unless you have excellent insulation, and the water freezes in pipes – expanding as it does so. The pipe cracks and once the ice melts water pours out, often manifesting itself through the ceiling. If you only do one thing – this is it!
Three
It is probably worth having a check around to find any damp spots, mouldy corners or unpleasant smells. These may suggest a leak, of water or sewage. You need to call your local plumber in Romford to find the source of the leak and to prevent it damaging your property or your health. Mould can exacerbate allergies and asthma. You might find it useful to make out a checklist adjusted for your home or office.
Suggested Checklist Would Include:
- Loft pipes
- Bathroom – taps drip
- Hot water tank leak
- Lagging
- Any pipes
- Garden hose/tap
Look at your radiators and determine whether they are dripping ever so slightly. And remember to check that they are warm all the way up. Otherwise they might need bleeding. However, this is easy to do. You just need a key to turn the knob – but have rag handy in case of spills!
And a dripping tap or a leaking toilet can waste a lot of water over time – and cost you money. It is worth finding and checking them early on, before they do too much damage.
Don’t Wait till Mid-Winter for These Three Essential Checks
So, service your boiler, make a general check-up and, most importantly – lag your pipes! These three essential checks will go a long way in ensuring you can relax in the warm comfort of your home. But make sure you also have the phone number of your plumber handy.