Plumbing emergencies spike in London once the weather turns: frozen and burst pipes, overflowing gutters, leaks that were ignored all summer. The few weeks around the end of October, when the clocks go back, are the perfect time to run through some quick checks. Most take a few minutes and could save you an emergency call-out in January. These autumn plumbing checks take a few minutes each.
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1. Test your stopcock
If something goes wrong, the stopcock is your first line of defence. Find it, turn it off and on again, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is. A seized stopcock is one of the most common reasons a small leak turns into a flood.
2. Bleed and check your radiators
Turn the heating on before you really need it. Radiators that are cold at the top need bleeding. Any that stay cold, leak at the valves or make loud noises are worth getting checked now rather than in a cold snap.
3. Isolate outside taps
Turn off the internal isolation valve for each outside tap, open the tap to drain it, and fit a frost cover. If there is no isolation valve, it is worth having one fitted.
4. Clear gutters and drains
Autumn leaves block gutters, downpipes and outside gullies. Blocked gutters overflow onto walls and can cause damp inside. Clear them, and check that outside drains are flowing freely.
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5. Look for slow leaks
Check under sinks, around toilets and behind the washing machine for drips, damp or staining. Small leaks get worse, and cold weather adds stress to weak joints.
6. Lag exposed pipes
Lofts, garages and under-floor voids need lagging before the first frost. It is a cheap job with a big payoff.
7. Save an emergency number
Put a plumber’s number in your phone and on the fridge. In an emergency, you do not want to be searching online while water comes through the ceiling.
Frequently asked questions
When should I do autumn plumbing checks?
Late September to early November is ideal, before the first hard frost.
Can you do all these checks in one visit?
Yes. We can check radiators, lag pipes, fit outside tap valves and look for leaks in one visit.
What is the most common winter emergency?
Frozen and burst pipes, followed by leaks from radiators and failing hot water cylinders.
