A handy guide to sorting common problems with central heating throughout the winter has been issued by British Gas.
During this week, Scotland has been hit with freezing temperatures and amber weather warnings, reports the Daily Record. While the gritters battle the outside world, many of us will be hiding from the weather at home, cranking the heating up to full whack.
However, sub-zero temperatures could force your boiler into not working, as the weather outside could cause freezing water to block the pipes.
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If this is happening, it could be a simple fix that does not require a pricey appointment. Now, British Gas has provided a DIY guide to tackling frozen pipes.
In an email sent to their customers, the energy provider has shared a step-by-step way to fix the issue, if you find that your heating pipes have frozen over.
One important thing to note is that you have to act quickly if you have frozen or burst pipes. These following tips can save you extra time and money so you won't have to wait for an engineer.
Read on below to find out more about how to solve your no-heating issues.
Look out for the warning signs
Before the issue comes to a head, there are warning signs to look out for when it comes to frozen pipes.
Firstly, your central heating could be making a 'gurgling' noise, your boiler refuses to turn on, or your taps produce little to no water.
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A clogged sink could also be a sign of frozen pipes, as well as your toilet flushing more slowly than normal.
Identify the frozen pipe
Now, it is time to find the frozen pipe causing the issue.
British Gas says that this is often the condensate pipe, which is the one that goes from your boiler through the wall and to the outside of your home.
Clear the blockage
To thaw out the inside of the pipe, you should get some hot - but not boiling - water.
Going out and pouring this over the affected area should melt the ice and get the water running normally again.
You can also do this with a hot water bottle, by placing it over the pipe. British Gas says that any pipe exposed to the cold could be the culprit, but you should check pipes in other places too like in the attic or basement.
If you have booked an appointment, but solve the issue on your own, remember to cancel the engineer's visit so they can attend other issues.
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