I’m a heating pro – the £1 hack to solve a common boiler problem that could otherwise end up costing you a small fortune
WITH freezing temperatures and snow hitting various parts of the country, many of us will finally be turning on our heating in a bid to stay warm.
But according to a heating expert named Danielle Robinson, from Toolstation, there’s a common boiler mistake that many homeowners make – and it could end up quite costly.
When temperatures drop, Danielle warns that the condensate pipe in the boiler, which carries away waste water from condensing boilers to an external drain, can freeze and become blocked.
This can cause the boiler to shut down, so it’s important to know exactly how to prevent this from happening.
And the good news it’s super cheap and simple to do…
“Flexible pipe insulation can be purchased for less than £1, with a metre length of our most affordable insulation wrap costing just 99p.
“Make sure to check the bore size (width) of the condensate pipe before purchasing,” she says, speaking to Bristol Live.
“The thick foam reduces heat loss, therefore protecting exterior pipes against frost and from freezing.
“All you need to do is wrap some insulation around the pipe to cover as much of the exposed surface as possible.”
Danielle goes on to recommend using cable ties to ensure it’s fastened on tightly with no gaps.
However, if it’s too late and your condensate pipe has already frozen, then no fear, because the heating expert has also shared her top three tips to resolve the issue.
First up, she begins by explaining that you’ll need to locate the pipe which will be behind the boiler and sticking out of the exterior wall of the house.
If you’re struggling to find the correct pipe, Danielle notes it’ll be the one that empties into an exterior drain.
Next, she advises thawing the pipe by pouring warm water at the point of where the pipe exits the wall.
However, she warns to never use boiling water – noting that this can cause the pipe to crack.
Finally, once the first two steps are completed, Danielle says you’ll then need to reset the boiler by holding down the reset button for approximately 10 seconds.