Cold weather boiler failure

As winter approaches, here are some tips to avoid those costly bills for boiler breakdowns and repairs caused by frozen or burst pipes.

• Keep central heading systems maintained by arranging an annual boiler service. This should take place in good time to allow for any remedial work to be done before the cold weather sets in. A well-maintained and efficient boiler will not only save on heating bill costs, but is also less likely to fail.
• Ideally, use your central heating once a month for 15 minutes or so, even through the summer, to prevent pumps and valves seizing up through lack of use.
• Lag storage tanks and exposed pipework, replacing old style felt lagging with modern foam insulation; paying particular attention to joints and bends which are often overlooked. It may cost a few more pounds to insulate but nowhere near the cost or inconvenience caused by a burst tank cascading water through a property.
• Lag external condense pipework to avoid condense freezing which leads to lock out. This is one of the most common boiler breakdowns in periods of consistent cold weather below 0°C.
• Ensure that you know where the water mains supply valve is located so it can be turned off immediately in the event of a burst pipe. 
• Ensure that overflow pipes, on water cisterns for instance, are clear and can discharge freely. Check for debris or blockages such as leaves. 
• If fitted, test your frost stat by turning it up until the boiler turns on, and then set it at 5°C (just above the temperature at which water begins to expand even when not frozen).
• Keep heating systems on but turned down low to avoid burst pipes; even when away.
• If away for an extended period of time, you may want to consider turning off the mains water supply and leaving taps turned on, which allows room for any water still trapped in the pipework to expand rather than cause a burst pipe. (Please ensure this doesn‘t affect the operation of your central heating boiler.)