How often should I do plumbing maintenance?

At minimum, do a seasonal check four times a year plus a quick monthly visual inspection. Your boiler should be professionally serviced once a year — ideally in summer when engineers are less busy. Most other checks on this list are simple DIY jobs that take 10 to 15 minutes.

Do I need a plumber for maintenance or can I do it myself?

Most routine maintenance — bleeding radiators, descaling taps, checking for leaks, lagging pipes, testing your stopcock — is straightforward DIY. The main job that requires a professional is the annual boiler service, which must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you find a problem during your checks, call a plumber to fix it rather than attempting a repair yourself.

How much does a plumbing health check cost?

A full plumbing health check where a plumber inspects your entire system typically costs £80 to £150 for a standard home. Some plumbers offer this as part of a boiler service visit. It is worth doing once a year if your property is older or you have had plumbing problems in the past.

What is the most important plumbing maintenance task?

The annual boiler service. A serviced boiler is safer (carbon monoxide checks are included), more efficient, less likely to break down in winter and keeps your warranty valid. After that, knowing where your stopcock is and checking it works is the single most important thing — it is your only way to stop water damage in an emergency.

When should I bleed my radiators?

Bleed your radiators at the start of the heating season (September or October) and whenever you notice cold spots at the top of a radiator. You will need a radiator bleed key (available from any hardware shop for under £2). Turn the heating off, open the bleed valve until water runs clear, then close it. If you need to bleed radiators frequently, there may be air getting into the system — ask a plumber to investigate.

Should I get a plumbing maintenance contract?

Some plumbers and heating engineers offer annual maintenance contracts (sometimes called care plans) that include the boiler service plus callout cover. These typically cost £10 to £25 per month. They can be good value if you want peace of mind, but always compare the cost with paying for a standalone boiler service (£70 to £120) and individual callouts as needed.

Annual Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for UK Homeowners

A little routine maintenance prevents most plumbing emergencies. This seasonal checklist tells you exactly what to check and when — so you can catch problems early and avoid expensive callouts.

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Spring (March–May)

Key plumbing checks for spring.

Check outside taps and garden plumbing

Turn on outside taps and check for leaks or frost damage from winter. Look for splits in exposed pipework and dripping connections.

Inspect gutters and downpipes

Clear any debris from gutters and check downpipes are draining freely. Blocked gutters cause damp and can damage external walls over time.

Test your stopcock

Turn your internal stopcock fully off and on again. If it is stiff or does not shut off the water completely, get it replaced before you need it in an emergency.

Check for signs of damp or slow leaks

Inspect under sinks, behind toilets and around the base of baths for any water staining, mould or musty smells that may have developed over winter.

Summer (June–August)

Key plumbing checks for summer.

Book your annual boiler service

Summer is the best time to service your boiler — engineers are less busy, and you will have it ready before the heating season. An annual service is also required to keep most boiler warranties valid.

Check washing machine and dishwasher hoses

Rubber inlet and waste hoses perish over time. Check for bulging, cracking or weeping at the connections. Replacing a £10 hose now prevents a flooded kitchen later.

Descale taps and showerheads

Soak showerheads and tap aerators in a limescale remover. This is especially important in East Devon where the water is moderately hard. Regular descaling improves flow and extends the life of your fittings.

Check toilet cisterns

Lift the lid on each toilet cistern and check that the fill valve shuts off cleanly and the flush valve seats properly. A constantly running toilet can waste over 200 litres a day and add £300 or more to your annual water bill.

Autumn (September–November)

Key plumbing checks for autumn.

Bleed your radiators

Before turning the heating on for winter, bleed all radiators to release trapped air. Cold spots at the top of a radiator mean air is trapped. This simple job takes 10 minutes and ensures your heating runs efficiently.

Test your heating system

Switch your heating on for a full cycle before the cold weather arrives. Check that all radiators heat evenly, the boiler fires without error codes and the thermostat responds correctly. Finding a problem in October is far easier than on a freezing January evening.

Lag exposed pipes

Insulate any pipes in unheated areas — lofts, garages, under raised floors and outside walls. Pipe lagging costs a few pounds per metre and prevents burst pipes in freezing weather.

Clear external drains and gullies

Remove leaves and debris from external drain covers and gullies. Blocked drains during autumn storms cause flooding and can back up into your property.

Winter (December–February)

Key plumbing checks for winter.

Keep heating on low when away

If you are going on holiday or leaving the house empty, set the heating to at least 12°C to prevent pipes freezing. A frozen pipe that bursts can cause thousands of pounds in damage.

Know where your stopcock is

Make sure everyone in the household knows where the internal stopcock is and how to turn it off. In a burst pipe emergency, shutting off the water quickly limits the damage.

Check for frozen pipe signs

If a tap stops running or runs slowly during cold weather, a pipe may be frozen. Do not apply direct heat — thaw gently with warm (not boiling) water or a hairdryer. If a pipe has already burst, turn off the stopcock and call an emergency plumber.

Monitor your boiler pressure

Check the boiler pressure gauge weekly during winter. Most combi boilers should read between 1.0 and 1.5 bar when the heating is off. If it drops below 1.0 bar regularly, there may be a slow leak in the system that needs investigating.

Monthly Quick Checks

These take less than five minutes and can save you thousands. Add them to your routine once a month.

Visual leak check

Spend two minutes looking under sinks, around toilet bases and behind appliances for any drips or water staining. Catching a leak early saves hundreds in repair costs.

Check boiler pressure

Glance at your boiler pressure gauge. If it frequently drops below 1.0 bar or rises above 2.5 bar, there may be an underlying issue that needs a plumber.

Run unused taps and flush unused toilets

If you have a guest bathroom or rarely used tap, run it for 30 seconds monthly. This prevents seals drying out, traps emptying (which lets sewer smells in) and water stagnating in pipes.

Test hot water temperature

Hot water from the tap should be around 50 to 55°C — hot enough to kill bacteria, but not scalding. If it has changed noticeably, the thermostat or immersion may need attention.

The Cost of Skipping Maintenance

Plumbing maintenance costs very little. The problems it prevents cost a lot. Here is what you risk by doing nothing.

What Problems Cost

Burst pipe (water damage repair)£1,000–£5,000+

Boiler breakdown (emergency callout)£200–£500

Blocked drain causing flooding£200–£800

Running toilet (wasted water per year)£300–£400

Slow leak causing structural damp£2,000–£10,000+

What Prevention Costs

Annual boiler service£70–£120

Pipe lagging (DIY, full loft)£20–£50

Stopcock replacement£80–£150

Descaling showerhead (DIY)£3–£5

Full plumbing health check (plumber visit)£80–£150

Prices are estimates for 2026. For a full breakdown, see our plumber costs guide.

Plumbing Maintenance FAQs

Need a Plumber for a Service or Health Check?

Browse our directory of local plumbers covering Exmouth and East Devon. Book an annual boiler service, a full plumbing health check or get a quote for any repairs you have spotted.

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Worried about your boiler? See our boiler repair guide or find out if you should repair or replace. Got a leak? Read our signs of a water leak guide. Check our plumber hourly rates to know what to expect. Find out how often you should service your boiler. Heating sluggish despite regular servicing? You may need a power flush.