Four things you must do to your boiler before leaving the house – expert | Personal Finance | Finance

As the cold weather sets in and Brits across the country click their heating on, experts at boiler company BOXT have revealed their top tips for ensuring your property doesn’t succumb to the elements if you go away this winter.

If you’re visiting loved ones or jetting off for sunnier climes over the festive season, your homes, and more specifically its pipes, can come a cropper.

Andy Kerr, founder of BOXT, explained: “We are approaching the time of year when the temperatures drop and the festive season begins. This is a time when many may find themselves away visiting relatives or even chasing some winter sun.

“When you spend time away from home during the winter months it is always important to prepare your property, especially the pipes, as they can be susceptible to freezing when the weather is really cold, which can cause extensive damage.”

Mr Kerr went on: “When the temperature hits freezing, any water in the pipes may also freeze. Water expands when it freezes, which could lead to the pipe cracking or even bursting.

“If a pipe bursts it will release all the water it was holding into your home, which if left or not resolved quickly enough can cause extensive water damage to the surroundings.

“The aftermath of this is often expensive, and so implementing preventative measures before you head off on your holiday is vital.”

Maintain adequate heating 

The experts explained that the most fundamentally important step is “to maintain your heating whilst you are away”.

If you turn your heating off when you go away, you risk your pipes freezing. So the experts recommend setting your thermostat to at least 10C to retain enough heat in the pipes to prevent them from cracking or bursting.

Those with a smart thermostat can control when the heating comes on remotely from your phone, so you can adjust according to the temperature.

Insulate your pipes 

For rooms that have exposed pipes, like cellars or basements, the experts recommend wrapping insulation around the pipes.

Isolate the mains water at the stop tap if you go away

This next step may be less commonly observed, by the experts maintain it is a key step you should take if you’re going to be away for a while.

“If you plan to venture on holiday during colder times of the year it’s a good idea to turn off your mains stop tap and open up the lowest sink or bath tap to relieve the initial pressure on the pipework”, the experts explain. “Turn the bath or sink tap off and leave the stop tap off too, this will limit any issues with pipes freezing, cracking or unwanted leaks whilst you are away.”

Ask a neighbour or friend to help

Finally, it is recommended that those leaving for a bit ask a trusted family member, friend, or neighbour to check in on their home and make sure the heating is working as it should be. They can also check for leaks that might suggest a burst and cracked pipe.