Winter is well underway, and it’s safe to say that the cold weather is here to stay for at least the next two months. This means millions will be relying on their boilers to keep themselves and their family warm.

However, boilers aren’t 100% reliable. They can fail at any time, leaving people without heating or means to have a hot shower. During winter, boiler professionals are also very stretched, resulting in delays. This is particularly worrying due to temperatures regularly going below freezing.

So Boiler Expert, Joshua Houston, has revealed exactly what to do if your boiler stops working during cold weather.

One of the most common reasons why your boiler might stop working in cold weather is frozen condensate pipes. These pipes carry waste water from the boiler to the outside of your home. You can locate them by walking around the exterior of your property, looking for small white plastic pipes. Once identified, get some warm water and simply pour it onto the pipes. Alternatively, you can get a warm towel or flannel and wrap it around them. This should unfreeze the pipes and get your boiler working again. 

If unfreezing the condensate pipes hasn’t done the trick, then chances are it’s a deeper problem which will require an expert to investigate. To keep your home as warm as possible with a faulty boiler, ensure that all of the curtains inside your property are closed. This is because they act as an extra layer of insulation to stop cold from getting in and heat escaping. Windows tend to be a common cause of a drop in temperature in homes, which is why this area is important to target.

Another temporary measure is to ensure your interior doors are closed as much as possible. Similarly, with the curtains, your doors will be able to insulate individual rooms better. So if you and other household members gather in one room, you will be able to easily retain the heat you all create.

An electric heater is a great way to keep your home warm if your boiler packs up. You can buy one brand new for well under £50, or alternatively, you can get it second-hand. If you need it instantly, then it might be worth posting on a local community page on social media. Someone may be willing to let you borrow at no cost, given your circumstances.

To use, simply plug it into the socket in a well-insulated room that is regularly used by your household members. You will only be able to keep one room warm at a time so your living room might be the best option.

A broken boiler means that you won’t be able to have a warm shower. So after a few days (if your boiler hasn’t been fixed) you will begin to smell and feel dirty. To avoid a freezing cold shower you can instead fill a tub with cold water and then add boiling water from either your kettle or stove. Just make sure to check the temperature in the tub before giving yourself a manual wash, to prevent burning.

‘’Your boiler failing during cold weather is never ideal, especially if a professional can’t get to you for a few days. If unfreezing the condensate pipes doesn’t work then follow the rest of my tips in order to keep yourself warm and clean.

Certain areas of the UK have already fallen victim to heavy snow and rainfall. This might further delay engineers from getting to your home.’’