HVAC
YOUR PLUMBING AND HEATING WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE Nigel Sanger, Divisional Director Technical Support at RWC UK, looks at how the winter season can affect plumbing and heating systems, and what installers can do to prevent these issues. RWC UK
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s we enter the depths of the winter season, installers receive an increasing number of emergency callouts to fix broken plumbing and heating (P&H) systems. These issues can range from frozen pipework to ineffective heating. Here are three ways plumbing and heating systems can be winter-proofed to avoid disruption and comfort for homeowners during the colder months.
Preventing pipes from freezing According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), £194m was paid out to help homeowners deal with burst pipes in the first quarter of 2018, due to bad weather that took its toll on domestic plumbing. Frozen pipes can cause significant damage to property and impact the performance of hot water and central heating systems when they are needed the most. But plumbing contractors can future-proof these systems for all seasons while carrying out the initial installation by keeping these six Ps in mind: preparation, pressure, placement, FC&A – JANUARY – 2021
protection, prevention and programming. Whether it’s new-build or retrofit installations, pipe layouts should be carefully considered. Best practice is to avoid placing pipes in rooms that are prone to getting cold, such as lofts or basements. If pipework does need to be placed in these areas or outside, they should be adequately protected and lagged with insulation. Without lagging, water in the pipes can freeze, creating internal pressure which can cause them to burst.
Alongside this, installers can plan ahead and use drain pipes in unoccupied new builds, and also advise homeowners to do the same when bad weather is forecast. This is particularly important for external taps that are exposed to plummeting temperatures. The process of draining external pipes is simple as you need to close the internal shut-off valve to stop the mains supply and then drain the exposed pipe. Once the cold weather has passed, you can open the valve to turn the water 26
supply back on. This simple yet effective action takes a few minutes and can save a winter’s worth of worry. Plumbing and heating installers can also avoid the perils of frozen pipes by keeping them warm at all times. As SSE advise, thermostats should be set at 12 to 15ºC when the property is unoccupied to prevent internal pipes from freezing. Smart heating controls, such as JG Aura, can help deal with these concerns when the properties are left vacant. JG Aura enables homeowners to manage their thermostats remotely via an app to ensure they are keeping their heating systems safe even when they are away.
Add anti-freeze when installing underfloor heating (UFH) over winters Another area that needs winterproof planning is the installation of underfloor heating (UFH). In new builds or renovations, these projects can span over weeks and even months. It’s not uncommon that UFH pipework is installed and screed is laid months before the property is actually ready for use.
