Introduction

With Christmas just around the corner, I’m sure you’re looking forward to all the delicious food, presents, and fun that comes with it. However, homeowners can do a few things to ensure that their plumbing is in good working order and will not cause a disaster this holiday season!

Dispose of Leftovers

• Avoiding a blocked drain is the best way to avoid a disaster this Christmas.
• Don’t put your leftover food down the sink, where you may end up with a nasty blockage. Instead, put it in the bin or compost bin.
• If you have leftovers causing problems in your drains, don’t try unblocking them yourself.
• Have an emergency plumber number to hand, and make sure to check their service hours, location, and if they work during the Christmas period.

Don’t Put Grease Down the Drain

Grease is a food product and therefore attracts bacteria, which can clog drains, and this can cause plumbing problems, like backups or overflows. If you have a garbage disposal, use it sparingly and ensure that the sink and drain are always clear. Avoid putting food down the drain if possible.

If you put too much food down the drain, it will clog up your pipes and cause problems like backups or overflows. This can lead to sewage getting into your home or business, which could cost a lot of money to repair.

Ensure Plumbing is Well-Maintained

• Clean out the pipes. The water coming into your home is just that—water. If it’s dirty, it can damage the inside of your plumbing, causing corrosion and leaks.
• Check for leaks. Water leaking from faucets or showerheads may not seem like a big deal, but it can cause serious damage to your home and its foundation if left unchecked. Checking for leaks regularly is vital to keeping things in good working order all year long!
• Inspect faucets and shower heads for worn-out parts, which can lead to leaks as well as higher water bills if they’re not replaced often enough!

Prevent Frozen Pipes with Insulation

• Insulate your pipes. Insulating your exposed pipes and faucets is important if you live in a cold climate This can be done with heavy-duty plastic sheeting that you can purchase at any hardware store.
• Use heat tape on vulnerable pipes. If the above insulation method still isn’t enough for your area, consider using heat tape on those troublesome exposed pipes (like where they come out of the ground). You’ll need an electrician to install this type of device, but it will ensure that no matter how cold it gets outside or inside your house or apartment building, those vital supply lines don’t freeze up and cause problems later when it comes time to use them again after winter has passed.

Conclusion

We hope these tips have helped you avoid a plumbing disaster this holiday season. Remember that plumbing problems don’t just happen at Christmas. They can happen any time of year. So, it’s always good to be prepared! In case of a plumbing emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to help!

Fitting a new boiler can be a stressful experience, but it’s something that many homeowners have to do at some point. If you need to get your boiler replaced, it’s important to understand how much time the installation will take and find the best way to reduce this time. 

In this article, we’ll look at everything from why it takes so long for some boilers to install (and how you can avoid this), what affects the length of time needed, and if it makes sense to fit a smart thermostat instead of just replacing your old one.

What determines the length of time it takes to install a new boiler?

The time it takes to install a new boiler can vary depending on several factors. The main factor is your boiler type, as some are more complex than others.

For example, an off-the-shelf gas condensing boiler will take much longer to fit than a combi or back-to-back system.

We’d recommend getting in touch with an engineer who can advise you on how long it will take for them to fit your specific model – but generally speaking, we’ve seen boilers fitted anywhere from a few hours up to three days!

The two biggest reasons we find that projects run over budget are ordering the wrong parts or problems with the gas connection (this happens when local authority planning permission has not yet been granted).

If you’re replacing an old system with one that’s similar in size and type, then these issues shouldn’t arise at all – but if there are any differences between old and new systems, then it could cause extra delay in getting started.

Why you may need to replace your boiler

If you’re considering replacing your boiler, it’s important to know what causes a boiler to fail.

• An old boiler can be inefficient and could waste fuel and money. Boilers are made up of moving parts that wear out over time, which means they may not be operating at their best. In some cases, the parts may have been damaged during installation or by previous owners. If this is the case, you could save more on heating bills by replacing your old one with a newer model that uses less energy and produces less heat loss through its pipework system.

• Your boiler might also break down unexpectedly due to corrosion or other faults in its design or construction – if this happens while you’re away from home or when weather conditions are at their worst (for example, during winter). It can leave you without heating for an extended period until repairs can be carried out.

Upgrading your boiler

You can upgrade your boiler by installing an air-source heat pump or solar heating system.

A boiler upgrade is the replacement of your current heating system, which will be replaced by a more efficient one. For example, if you currently have an oil-fired hot water storage tank and want to replace it with a more modern (and more efficient) electric immersion heater, this would be considered a boiler upgrade.

What are the benefits of upgrading?

The main benefit is that you will save money on your energy bills as well as reduce CO2 emissions through reduced fuel consumption – there are also additional benefits such as lower maintenance costs over time and improved occupant comfort levels due to increased control systems functionality. There’s no doubt that upgrading your old, outdated boiler can make quite an impact on your home’s running costs!

Why does it take so long for some boilers?

There are a few reasons why it can take so long to fit a boiler. The first is that the work needs to be done by a specialist. Boilers are complex machines and require special tools, knowledge, and expertise to install properly. This means that there’s more time spent on planning and preparation than on other household appliances like ovens or washing machines.

Boilers also tend to be installed in multiple stages: for example, you might need one boiler fitted for your central heating system, then later add another one for space heating (as part of an underfloor heating system).

This means that installing just one type of boiler may take several days over several weeks because you’ll have to wait between stages as each component is installed separately.

Changing boiler fuel types

How long does it take to fit a boiler?

The answer to this question depends on the type of boiler fuel you want your technician to change. It will take around one day if you want them to change from oil to gas. If they are changing from gas to oil, then expect it to take two days.

This is because when a technician changes your fuel type from gas to oil or vice versa, they have to disconnect certain parts of the system and reconnect other parts so that everything works properly again. They do this by using special tools that aren’t usually found in homes.

Relocating your boiler

If you are thinking of relocating your boiler, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, where can the new boiler be positioned? The most convenient place for a new boiler is usually next to an existing radiator. This will make it easier for heat to be distributed around an entire floor or room.

Secondly, you need to consider how much space you have available and whether or not it is possible for an engineer to work around any other equipment that might already be in place. It’s also important that any pipework doesn’t restrict access too much when they’re switching on the water supply and testing functionality before installation is complete.

Finally, it’s essential when fitting boilers that electrics are installed correctly by a qualified electrician so they meet all current regulations and codes of practice.

Combi boilers tend to be the fastest install

Combination boilers are the most popular type of boiler, and they tend to be the fastest install. They’re more energy efficient than other types of boilers, and they are also more compact. Of course, this can make them a bit harder to fit in your home’s existing space. But with a little care and attention on behalf of both you and your installer, you should have no trouble getting your new combination boiler set up and running.

Should you fit a new combi boiler?

A combi boiler is a great option if you want to install a new central heating system. Combi boilers are more energy efficient, reliable, and easier to maintain than other types of boilers. They’re also environmentally friendly and cheaper to run than oil or electric heaters because they only use the heat from water when you need it so it is a great possibility to reduce your energy costs.

If you’re thinking about changing your old boiler with a new one, here are some things for you to consider:

• How much does it cost?
• Do I have enough space for the new system boiler?

How much of the work can I do myself?

You can fit a new boiler yourself, but this is not something that we would recommend. The installation of a new boiler is highly technical and should be left to a professional.

In some instances, you may be able to do some of the work yourself if you have experience in DIY projects. However, if you’re not confident in your abilities, it’s best to leave it up to our team of professionals at UK-Plumbing.

The best ways to reduce installation times

You can reduce installation times by:

• Make sure your old boiler is removed during the fitting of your new one. You may need to use a reputable contractor to do this, but it’s worth doing because they will be able to remove the old boiler with much less fuss than if you tried to do it yourself. This can mean that there are fewer problems when fitting in a new boiler, and therefore less time wasted by having to take steps back and rework things later on.
• Checking that all pipes are connected correctly before you turn on your new heating system for the first time. Sometimes, when installing a new central heating system, there will be loose connections which can cause leaks or even worse problems, such as flooding! Make sure everything is connected properly by checking each pipe individually again after the installation has been completed just in case some were missed off earlier on due to rushed workmanship or other issues like missing parts, for example).

Other aspects to consider when fitting a new boiler

It’s important to think about any other aspects that might influence your decision. This includes:

• How much time will it take to fit your new boiler? It’s not always possible to get a quick appointment with a boiler fitter, so keep this in mind when making plans.
• How much will it cost you to have it fitted, and what options are available if you want to do any of the work yourself or cut costs in some other way?
• What other factors could affect the cost of fitting a new boiler – for example, if your home has an unusual configuration that needs extra work done on pipework or cabling, this may add an additional cost to what was originally quoted at the beginning of the installation process!

Power flushing

Power flushing is a process in which the boiler is filled with a mixture of water and detergent, then drained. The procedure removes limescale build-up from the system, which can prevent it from operating efficiently. Power flushing should be carried out every year or two to keep your boiler running at its best.

How long does it take?

Power flushing usually takes between three and four hours, depending on the size of your heating system. This time will vary depending on whether or not you need to remove any parts before cleaning them properly – if this is necessary, then extra time may be needed for disassembly and reassembly as well as preparation work such as removing limescale deposits from pipes before they can be cleaned effectively by chemicals.

Can I do it myself?

If you want to save money by doing it yourself rather than hiring someone else (which isn’t always possible), then yes! It’s quite straightforward but make sure that whatever chemicals you’re using is suitable for use inside domestic properties first – otherwise, things could go wrong very quickly!

Smart thermostats

If you’re not sure about smart thermostats or don’t know how to use them, here’s a quick guide:

• A smart thermostat is an internet-connected device that can be used to control your heating system remotely. You can adjust the temperature from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.
• Smart thermostats also monitor the room temperature and adjust the heating accordingly, so you don’t have to worry about setting it up yourself.

Questions you may have about fitting a boiler

• Can a plumber install a boiler in a day? Possibly, depending on the type of boiler and type of heating. If an older system needs to be changed, it could take up to three days or longer, as the old one must be removed and everything checked before the new one is put in.
• What does fitting a new boiler involve? The fitting of a new boiler involves making sure that the pipes and ducts are in good condition, connecting them correctly to your new boiler, and adding insulation where necessary to reduce heat loss. They’ll also need to make sure there’s enough space for the new boiler before they can install it.
• How often should boilers be replaced? On average, a boiler’s life is 10-15 years, but this can be extended if it is properly maintained. Regular servicing can increase its longevity.
• Is it worth replacing an old boiler? Generally, yes. If you have an old boiler that is inefficient and can’t be upgraded to meet current standards, then it’s worth considering replacing it. However, if your boiler is still working well but getting old, then it might not be necessary to replace it at the moment.
• Is replacing a boiler a messy job? It can be. If you have an old boiler that is leaking, then it will need to be drained, usually by a plumber. This can make quite a mess, so it’s important to ensure that you’re prepared for this before having the work done.

If you’re planning on fitting a new boiler, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. The more information you have about the process, the better. If you think that fitting a new boiler might be something for your home, then why not get in touch? We would love to talk through your options with you and help you find the right solution.

Just a reminder under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 all landlords of private and social housing must ensure a smoke alarm is fitted on every floor of their property. Landlords are responsible for repairing and replacing faulty alarms throughout a tenancy contract. Landlords should begin to install and repair existing alarms now to avoid being fined and breaching the rules. Breaching these regulations can be a penalty fine of up to £5,000.

Regulations also state that all rented properties in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms where there is any type of fixed combustion application, such as boilers starting from 1^st October 2022. Tenants are responsible for reporting faulty alarms.

Find out more on the government website: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)