There’s nothing worse than that first icy morning in November… and your heating won’t turn on. Or it does, but the radiators stay stone cold. We see it every year. Homeowners across Romford, Essex, and London are caught off guard when their central heating system calls it quits just when they need it.
But you can avoid that panic with some prep before the cold sets in. Getting your heating system winter-ready doesn’t take much, but it can save you stress, discomfort, and costly emergency callouts later.
Here’s how to do it.
1. Bleed Your Radiators
If your radiators are warm at the bottom but cold at the top, trapped air is usually the culprit. It stops hot water from circulating properly. This leaves you with patchy heat and higher bills since your system has to work harder.
How to do it:
Grab a radiator key, a cloth, and a bowl. Turn off the heating and gently open the bleed valve (at the top of the radiator). You’ll hear a hiss of air, then water. As soon as water comes out steadily, close the valve. Job done.
Do this in every room, especially if you haven’t run your heating in a while.
2. Check Your Boiler Pressure
Your boiler needs the correct pressure to heat your home efficiently. If it’s too low or too high, it could affect performance. In fact, it could even stop the system from working altogether.
How to do it:
Look at the pressure gauge on your boiler. When the system is cold, it should be around 1 to 1.5 bar. You can top it up using the filling loop if it’s too low. Just make sure to do it slowly and carefully. If it’s too high, you might need to bleed some radiators or call a professional to release pressure safely.
3. Check Your Thermostat and Timers
This one’s often overlooked. Make sure your thermostat is accurate and responsive. The timers must be appropriately set for your winter routine. If you’ve got a smart thermostat, check for any firmware updates; it can make your system run more efficiently.
4. Look (and Listen) for Warning Signs
Keep an ear out for banging, gurgling, or strange noises from your boiler or radiators. Notice any leaks, rust, or damp patches around your system? These are early signs that something needs attention. Best to deal with them now before they turn into midwinter breakdowns.
5. Book a Professional Heating Inspection
We can’t stress this enough: getting your system checked by a professional before winter is the best way to prevent unexpected problems. A full inspection will spot issues like blocked pipes, a failing pump, or a sludge build-up in your radiators.
And if your system hasn’t been flushed in years, now might be the perfect time for a power flush. It clears out rust and debris, helping your radiators heat evenly and your boiler run more efficiently. This way, you save money on energy bills.
Stay Warm, Stay Ready
Don’t wait for the frost to find out your heating isn’t up to the job. A bit of prep can keep your home cosy and stress-free all winter.
At Plumber in Romford, we’re here to help. Got bleeding radiators, pressure issues, or want to give your system a full once-over? We provide services across Romford, Essex, and London.
Give us a ring today. Let’s get your heating ready for the cold before it really hits.
