FEATURE: HEATING & INSULATION


SIX PLUMBING CHECKS TO DO BEFORE SEPTEMBER TO AVOID REPAIR BILLS


Sam Davies, director at Age Care Bathrooms (agecare-bathrooms.co.uk) shares six essential plumbing and bathroom maintenance checks homeowners should carry out now to help keep their homes running smoothly.


P


lumbing experts are urging homeowners to get their heating and


plumbing


checked before September, warning


that putting off simple maintenance could lead to £100s in avoidable repair costs. With the average boiler


repair costing around £300 and a replacement potentially exceeding £3,000, carrying out a few preventative checks while the weather is still warm could help avoid unexpected breakdowns and expensive bills.


1. Check boiler health With summer coming to an end, homeowners should check their boiler is working efficiently before relying on it to provide heating and hot water throughout the colder months.


Unusual noises, fluctuating


pressure, radiators taking longer than normal to heat up or hot water


cutting out can all be signs that your boiler is struggling. These issues could indicate problems such as trapped air in the system, low water pressure, a faulty component or a build-up of sludge affecting performance.


If you notice any changes in how your boiler is working, it’s important to get it checked by a qualified


professional rather


than waiting for it to break down completely. Small issues can often be resolved before they develop into larger faults, which could leave you facing a more expensive repair.”


2. Bleed radiators If your radiators feel cold at the top but warm at the bottom, trapped air could be preventing them from working efficiently.


Bleeding your radiators is a


simple job homeowners can carry out themselves and helps release trapped air, allowing hot water to circulate more effectively around your heating system.


To do this, turn your heating off and allow your radiators to cool down before using a radiator key to slowly open the small valve at the top of the radiator. You may hear air escaping, and once water begins to come out, close the valve again. Make sure you check your boiler pressure afterwards, as bleeding radiators can sometimes cause it to drop slightly. If radiators are not working


properly, your heating system may have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, which can increase energy use.


STIEBEL ELTRON UK WELCOMES NEW HEAT PUMP GRANT BOOST


Leading heat pump manufacturer, Stiebel Eltron UK, has welcomed the government’s decision to increase the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant to £9,000 for households currently heating with oil or LPG.


The uplift, confirmed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, came into effect on 21 July and applies to air source and ground source heat pump installations in England and Wales. It represents a £1,500 increase on the standard £7,500 grant available to mains gas homes, and is aimed at the estimated 1.7 million off-gas-grid households across the two nations.


The change forms part of a wider set of measures designed to weaken the link between gas and


www.diyweek.net electricity prices.


These include a rise in the Electricity Generator Levy from 45% to 55%, and a new voluntary long-term contract for low-carbon generators covering around a third of Britain’s power supply, offered only where it delivers clear value for money for consumers. John Felgate, Managing Director of Stiebel Eltron UK, said: “We welcome this additional support to help homeowners adopt more


environmentally friendly alternatives. Making more heat pumps available and affordable for homeowners looking to move away from oil and LPG is a step in the right direction. “Incentivising the replacement of oil and LPG appliances means higher carbon reduction per installation and greater fuel cost resilience. “For consumers, it’s important they understand that choosing the right heat pump still depends on the home. Property size, insulation levels and hot water demand all shape which system suits a household best, and that’s where manufacturers, such as us, can add real value.”


• To find out more about Stiebel Eltron’s heat pump technologies and services, please visit www. stiebel-eltron.co.uk


3. Check the stop tap is easy to access


Many homeowners don’t think about their stop tap until there is a plumbing emergency, but checking it works properly can help minimise damage if something goes wrong. If a pipe bursts or a serious leak develops, being able to quickly turn off your water supply can significantly reduce the amount of damage caused.


Homeowners should make sure they know where their stop tap is located and check that it turns easily.”


4. Inspect bathroom sealant and grout for damage Small cracks or gaps around baths, showers and sinks can allow water to seep behind surfaces and cause problems over time. Damaged sealant and grout might


seem like a cosmetic issue, but they can allow moisture to get behind tiles and into walls or flooring. Over time, this can lead to damp, mould and structural damage. Checking these areas regularly


and replacing worn sealant can help prevent minor issues from becoming expensive repairs.”


5. Clear slow-draining sinks, baths and showers A


slow-draining bathroom


fixture may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can quickly develop into a larger plumbing issue. Hair, soap residue and product build-up can gradually cause blockages, leading to standing water,


unpleasant smells and


potential overflowing. Clearing drains before winter is a simple preventative step homeowners can take to keep their bathroom working properly and avoid bigger problems later on.”


6. Check extractor fans are working properly With windows often kept closed during colder months, bathrooms can become more prone to excess moisture and mould. Extractor fans help remove humidity and prevent condensation from building up, so homeowners should check theirs is working properly before winter arrives. If your extractor fan is not working properly, it’s best to have it


inspected by a qualified


professional rather than attempting to repair electrical components yourself. Keeping moisture levels under


control is important for


preventing mould, damp and damage to bathroom surfaces.


AUGUST 2026 DIY WEEK 13


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40