After hibernating over the warm summer months, during the cold winters the boiler is kicked back into gear. Working long hours after being inactive for a while means that the most common time for a boiler to break down would be when you most need it the most. While some issues can be fixed without having to call out an engineer, if you’re in doubt, the best thing you can do is seek some help from a professional.
Sometimes it’s even better to get a new boiler altogether than have it fixed over and over again, that’s why it’s important to compare the cost of repair services with the new boiler cost to save more money.
Today, we’ll be exploring six common boiler problems to help you identify the issue and guide you in the right direction to sort it out.
Drips and leaks
A range of issues could cause a boiler to leak. Where the leak is coming from will determine the cause of the breakage. The internal component breaking, for example a pressure valve or pump seal, is usually the reason for a leak. If the source of the leak is the pressure valve, then the boiler pressure could be above what it should be. If the pump seal is the culprit, then it may need to be replaced due to it being dilapidated. Corrosion can also occur around the tank or pipes due to the boiler not being adequately fitted.
Don’t try to fix these issues yourself and if the cost of the repair is worrying, then get some boiler cover. If you get covered with Certi, you can benefit from their value+ boiler cover plan. The value+ home emergency cover from Certi includes access to a helpline that you can call at any time and costs as little as £4.95 per month.
No hot water or heat
Hot water or heat loss can occur due to broken airlocks or diaphragms, motorised valves failing, thermostat issues or low levels of water. If you experience this, a good place to start is to check whether the issue is due to a problem with your boiler pressure or thermostat. If you think that your airlock or diaphragm is broken, you will need to call out an engineer.
Low boiler pressure
All boilers will have a pressure gauge built in to them, which makes checking the pressure very easy. If the needle is under 1, that means you could have a low boiler pressure which means your central heating will not function how it should. A leak, a faulty pressure relief valve or radiators that have recently been bled are all reasons the pressure could drop. If you can’t find a leak, then you can try to re-pressurise the system. The instructions to do this can be found in your heating system’s manual. However, if you aren’t comfortable, then contact a professional.
Thermostat problems
If the precision of your thermostat isn’t accurate or if the heating is turning on/off when it shouldn’t be, then it may be time to look at replacing it. First, you should carry out some checks such as whether the thermostat is on and that the settings have been set correctly. Another thing to remember is that the thermostat will not allow your boiler to warm up your home above the temperature that it has been set to. If this is the case, then you should try to increase the settings a tiny bit at a time until you find your ideal temperature. If that doesn’t apply to you, then your thermostat could have malfunctioned or the accuracy may have decreased over time. This is when a replacement should be considered.
Pilot light keeps going out
There is a small blue flame that has to be kept alight to allow it to light a bigger burner. This is called the pilot light. This could be going out due to a broken thermocouple (which will stop the gas supply), a build-up of deposits in the pilot light or a draught which will blow out the pilot light. It’s important to check that there are no problems with the gas supply before you try to reignite the light. If your boiler isn’t receiving gas, but the gas stopcock is on, then you need to get in contact with your gas supplier. There will be instructions in your boiler’s manual if you are unsure on igniting the pilot light.
Unusual noises
A common source of strange noises like banging, gurgling or whistling can be due to air in the system. However, it could also be due to low water pressure or kettling. Impending pump failure (more common in older systems), could also be a reason for the noises. The type of noise can help determine the issue. But always seek professional help if you’re unsure.
Having boiler issues can be stressful, but there’s plenty of help available to you. Having your boiler covered is highly recommended for the unexpected breakdowns and if you are ever unsure, don’t be afraid to get in an engineer to fix the problem.
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