Avoid a boiler breakdown

While many of us protect exposed pipes and outside taps from cold weather, there’s one part of the home which is often forgotten - the condensate boiler pipe.

Boilers installed after 2005 are usually condensing boilers, which can be more efficient than older boiler types but also prone to breaking down if the condensate pipe, which carries condensed water vapour, freezes.

A boiler breakdown means no hot water or gas central heating - but the good news is this is easily avoidable by taking three simple steps:

1. Protect the condensate pipe from the cold by fitting foam insulation from your local DIY store or plumbing merchants

   
   

2. Make sure your boiler is serviced annually by a Gas Safe-registered engineer and WaterSafe-approved contractor

   If the pipe has frozen, you can defrost it by holding a hot water bottle to it, starting from the end nearest the ground. Contact a trained professional if the pipe is difficult to access or you need advice.
   
   Find your local, approved plumber or visit our winter advice pages for more advice.