24/05/2026
Why I’ll Always Tell People to Get Their Boiler Checked Before Winter
Every year it’s the same story.
The second the weather turns cold, boilers across the country suddenly decide they’ve “had enough” and stop working at the worst possible time.
And without fail, somebody always says:
“But it was working fine yesterday.”
At Christy Plumbing & Heating, we hear it constantly. The truth is, most boilers usually do give warning signs before they pack in completely — people just don’t notice them, or hope they’ll magically fix themselves.
Sadly- they rarely do.
One of the simplest things homeowners can do before calling us is check their boiler pressure. Low pressure is one of the most common reasons boilers stop heating properly. This is something you can do yourself but if it’s a bit confusing we can send you a video.
It’s amazing how many callouts end with:
“Oh… was that all it was?”
Now, obviously, if you smell gas, have no heating at all, or your boiler is flashing fault codes like a Christmas tree, don’t start poking around yourself. Give us a call on 01234 325620 .
But there are a few small warning signs people shouldn’t ignore:
• Radiators taking longer to heat up
• Strange banging or gurgling noises
• Pressure constantly dropping
• Hot water going hot and cold
• The boiler needing “reset” frequently.
That last one especially. If your boiler only works after you turn it off and back on again, it’s basically the plumbing equivalent of “have you tried restarting it?”
The biggest mistake we see is people waiting until the middle of winter to deal with problems. And although it does not seem logical to get the boiler serviced in the summer months – it is the perfect time.
Winter is when parts are harder to get, we might be flat out, and nobody wants to wake up to an ice-cold house in January.
A yearly boiler service is usually far cheaper than an emergency breakdown — and it gives you a chance to catch little issues before they become expensive ones.
At Christy Plumbing & Heating, we always try to keep things simple:
Fix what actually needs fixed, explain things properly, and never mystify or patronise people with technical jargon.
Most of our customers don’t want a lecture about boilers.
They just want hot water, warm radiators, and a shower that doesn’t suddenly turn into Antarctica halfway through shampooing their hair.
Lawrence Christy
Christy Plumbing & Heating
01234 325620
