October: heating system preparation
Check the boiler pressure and run the heating for a short time, because faults show up early. This shows whether radiators warm up. Bleed any that are cold at the top.
Book a boiler service if one is due. Engineers get busy as the weather turns cold, so book early. Our checklist helps, since it covers the main tasks.
October: pipe protection
Lag pipes in lofts, garages and outbuildings, since these spaces freeze first. Foam tubes are cheap and easy to fit. Cover outside taps and turn off their supply if you have an isolation valve.
Insulate the cold water tank in the loft too. However, leave the area under the tank free of insulation so some warmth reaches it. Our guide on how to protect pipes from freezing has more.
November: drainage preparation
Clear leaves from gutters, downpipes and gullies, because wet leaves rot and block pipes. Wet leaves rot and block pipes quickly. Check that rainwater flows away from the house.
Look at inspection chamber covers too. Make sure they sit well. Because winter rain is heavy, clear drains make a big difference.
If you’re going away in winter
Leave the heating on a low setting, so pipes stay above freezing, because empty homes cool fast. Ask someone to check the house. Make sure they know where the stopcock is.
You may also drain down the water system if you leave for a long time. Ask a plumber for advice, since the steps depend on your system.
The emergency kit to have ready
Keep a torch, spare batteries, rubber gloves and a bucket handy. Add towels, a roll of waterproof tape and the phone number of a plumber. Know where your stopcock and fuse board are.
Keep your insurance details together. Take photos of your stopcock so others can find it. Because emergencies come fast, preparation saves time.
Recognising the warning signs of a developing problem
Watch for slow drains, noisy pipes and cold radiators, since they are early signs. Check for damp patches on walls and ceilings. A drop in boiler pressure is another warning.
Act early on any sign. Small problems are cheaper to fix than big ones. If a problem grows, ask for a free quote on our site.
Write a short list of jobs and tick them off as you go. Share the list with anyone who lives with you, so that everyone knows what to check. A simple plan helps because winter problems usually strike at the worst time.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read What to Do When a Pipe Bursts: A Step-by-Step UK Guide. You can also read Gas Safety: What Every UK Homeowner Needs to Know Today and How to Find a Water Leak: Detection Methods and When to Call, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Frozen Pipes: How to Prevent, Thaw and Cope After a Freeze, Leak Detection Methods: Acoustic, Thermal and Tracer Gas, Flooded Basement or Cellar: What to Do and How to Prevent It, Leak Detection Cost Guide: What Changes the Price Most and Plumbing Emergency? Here Is Exactly What to Do Right Now. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our plumbing help page first, or see Emergency Plumber in Bridlington and Emergency Plumber in Brierley. You can also see Plumbing Repairs in Dover, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
