Boiler, heating and plumbing help in Wishaw
Wishaw sits on rising ground on the east side of the Clyde valley, next door to Motherwell. Its older terraces, flats above shops and large post-war estates all feel the cold in a hard winter, and that shapes much of the work we do here.
- Open 24/7
- Gas Safe registered
The frozen condensate pipe problem
Modern condensing boilers drain water through a small plastic pipe, and where that pipe runs outside it can freeze in a cold snap. The boiler then locks out, often showing a fault code, and sometimes makes a gurgling noise. On the more exposed streets in Wishaw this is one of the most common winter callouts.
If it happens to you, find where the pipe leaves the house and pour warm water, not boiling, along the outside section, or hold a hot water bottle against it. Then reset the boiler following the manual. Never take the boiler casing off or touch anything inside it.
- If the boiler still will not run, book a boiler repair
- Longer term, the pipe can be rerouted internally, increased in size or insulated to stop it happening again
Flats above shops and older terraces
Along the main shopping streets and in the older parts of town, there are flats over shop units and long stone terraces. A leak in an upper flat can damage a business below within hours, so these properties benefit from a working stopcock that everyone knows how to reach. Older lead or iron pipework is still found in some of these buildings and is worth replacing when the chance arises. When a pipe bursts, shut the water off and call our emergency plumbers.
For landlords and new owners
Wishaw has a good number of rented flats and houses. Landlords need a gas safety record every year for each let property, and we provide landlord gas safety certificates with the paperwork you need to give tenants.
If you have just bought an older home, a boiler service is a sensible first step. It tells you what condition the system is in before the colder months arrive.
Call or email us whenever you need a plumber or heating engineer in Wishaw.
Questions from Wishaw
How do I know if my condensate pipe is frozen?
The boiler usually stops during or after a cold night and shows a fault or lockout code, sometimes with a gurgling sound. If the outside temperature is below freezing and the pipe runs outdoors, freezing is the likely cause. Thaw it with warm water and reset the boiler.
Will a frozen condensate pipe damage the boiler?
Usually not, because the boiler shuts down to protect itself. Repeated lockouts are a sign the pipe needs improving, though, and that is a straightforward job for an engineer.
My outside tap split last winter. How do I stop it happening again?
Fit an isolating valve on the pipe inside the house, turn it off in late autumn and open the outside tap to drain it. An insulated tap cover helps too. We can fit the valve during any other visit to your Wishaw home.
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