Switching on your central heating again after a long summer only to find it isn’t working is sorely disappointing. Winter can bring a whole lot of trouble for your central heating and plumbing systems, so we’ve put together this quick guide to 3 common problems to help you find the easiest solution.  

No central heating 

Possibly the worst problem to encounter with your boiler during the winter is to find your central heating isn’t working! The most likely cause of your heating failing is either a problem with your settings on your boiler or thermostat or because a part of the boiler, probably the motorised diverter valve, is broken. So, before you call a plumber, try adjusting your boiler settings to see if this kick starts the central heating. If this doesn’t work, it’s likely the valve will need to be replaced. To do this you will need the help of a gas safe registered engineer. 

Cold spots on the radiators

If you don’t think your home is heating up properly, check to see if all your radiators are warm (check the whole radiator, not just the top). If you can feel that the sides and bottom are cold, then it’s likely the radiator is full of sludge that’s preventing it heating up. The easiest and most effective way to remove sludge from your radiator is to get a professional power flush. Power flushing involves injecting water at a high speed through your central heating system to remove sludge and other deposits to give your radiators, and indeed the whole system, a new lease of life. 

Frozen pipes 

As the colder weather creeps in and temperatures plummet, there’s a chance that your pipes will freeze. If you do suddenly find yourself without running water, there are a few things you can do to get it running freely again. Firstly, double check with neighbours to see if their water is fine. If it is, then it’s likely one of your pipes has indeed frozen. To identify the offending section of pipe, simply feel along it until you reach a section colder than the rest. Turn off your water supply and turn on the nearest cold water tap to the frozen pipe so the water can flow away once you have defrosted the pipe. Then, use either a hair dryer, hot water bottles or warm water to carefully and slowly heat the pipe. Once you’re happy the pipe is defrosted and there is no damage, turn on your water supply. If you think the pipe has been affected, call a professional plumber to come take a look.

If you’re in need of a professional plumber or Gas Safe registered engineer, call Greenstar, the South’s leading provider of plumbing, drainage, heating and boiler services. Simply contact us online or call 01202 355344 to speak to a member of our friendly team.