It's a good idea to do some regular home maintenance checks as the weather starts turning colder - but it can be difficult to know where to start. On this page we've provided some simple ways you can help keep you and your home as safe as possible, and avoid any weather related issues this winter.
If you're worrying about the cost of living over the coming months, we've provided information about lowering household bills and how to access benefits and financial support. There's also support available if you're struggling with issues like debt and finding employment.
Check your boiler and radiators
As winter approaches, one of the most important things to do is make sure your heating and boiler are working properly before it gets really cold. If there’s a problem with your heating and boiler, please get in touch so we can book an appointment to fix it.
- Give your gas boiler pressure a check
. It will run best at around 1 to 1.5 bar and you can check this via the gauge on the front of your boiler unit. (If the green area of your gauge is different, please use that pressure range instead.) - Check your radiators - if any are hot at the bottom and not the top, there’s too much trapped air and you need to bleed the radiator so hot water can fill the whole system and radiate more heat into the room.
- If your boiler stops working in icy weather, you might have a frozen condensate pipe. This pipe is usually made of white plastic and runs from the boiler through the wall to an outside drain. It’s quick and easy to defrost yourself and get your boiler back up and running.
Don’t forget your annual gas safety check
Gas safety checks are important for your safety because faulty gas appliances can cause fires and explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Annual checks also prolong the lifespan of the appliance. For some SNG customers, gas safety checks are a legal requirement.
We carry out annual gas safety checks in your home and will be in touch with you to book an appointment when it’s due. Please keep your appointment - these checks are legally required and important for your safety. If you’ve missed your appointment or need to change it, get in touch to rebook it as soon as possible.
If you’re a leaseholder or shared owner, you’re responsible for your own gas boiler and appliances and you should use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances. Find out more about gas, electrical and fire safety for shared owners and leaseholders here.
Avoid burst pipes
Burst pipes in winter can be a common occurrence and the damage they cause is often devastating in the home. When water freezes in the cold weather, it can cause the pipes to swell and crack – then, when it defrosts, the water will come pouring out.
- Repair or report any minor leaks before they have chance to develop into a bigger one.
- Leave your heating on low if you’re away from home in cold weather, to avoid pipes freezing.
- Fix dripping taps – even a slow trickle can cause a burst pipe.
- Make sure your boiler service has been completed when we've made an appointment with you.
- Make sure you know where your stopcock is, and that you can turn it on and off, so you can turn off the water at the mains in an emergency – to limit the damage.
- If you have a garden tap, you should also have a separate stopcock or isolation valve just for this. Ideally, turn off the supply in the winter to stop the pipe from freezing. Once you’ve isolated it, leave the garden tap open so any remaining water can expand. (Don't forget to turn the tap off before you turn the water supply back on though!)
- Find out how to turn off your stopcock to minimise any damage , and get advice on what to do if a pipe does freeze.
Reducing condensation
In the winter, you're more likely to get condensation in your home because warm, moist indoor air hits cold surfaces like windows and walls - which can then lead to damp and mould. Minimising excess moisture in your home is the key to preventing any further problems and we provide lots of tips on how to reduce condensation. We can also help if you have severe condensation or mould that isn't getting better.
Make sure you’re covered
Don’t forget that we insure the building you live in, but we don’t insure your personal belongings and home contents. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a risk that your belongings could be broken, damaged or stolen. Find out more about cost effective home contents insurance.
Keep your home warm and minimise bills
If you're worrying about the cost of living this winter, there are a number of things you can do to keep your home warm while trying to keep costs down. Take a look at our practical tips on lowering household bills and the Energy Saving Trust's top tips for saving energy during colder weather from its Facebook community. These small changes can make a big difference.
Do you have a storage heater? Find out how to use it effectively to save money.
Support for you this winter
We know the winter months can be a struggle - and at SNG, we want to support our customers so they can thrive. If you're struggling with paying your rent, debt, work, benefits, household bills or using the internet, we can provide one-to-one support and work with you to overcome the challenges you're facing.
Visit our support page for more information and to talk to our friendly, trained team - or use tools like National Support Network, Better Off Calculator or Pocket Power to find help yourself.