Can I Fix My Boiler Myself
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- Posted date:
- 02-02-2022
Are you wondering : Can I fix my boiler myself? We look at the safety concerns involved in repairing a gas boiler and why you should consult a professional Gas Safe engineer.
Can I Repair My Own Boiler?
If you consider yourself to be an at-home novice handy person, then you may be eager to never spend any money on professionals and willing to fix whatever the issue is yourself at home. Of course, some jobs are harder than others and boilers are seen as being one of the most dangerous and complex appliances in the home.
You may be wondering, can you fix your own boiler? What can you do to ensure that everything is taken care of? If something goes wrong with my boiler, what should I do?
The biggest fear of any amateur at-home DIYer is that they will accidentally spend money on a professional service when they really could have just done it themselves.
That feeling of wasting money when after all it could have just been done at home is incredibly frustrating.
If you have no hot water, we totally understand the compulsion to try and fix the problem yourself, saving the day and getting everything back to normal.
But, when it comes to boilers, if you are not certified to work with them, it is highly dangerous to go tinkering and experimenting yourself.
This doesn't mean that there is absolutely nothing you can do in an emergency though.
Below we have a helpful list of tips and tricks that might come in handy if you are having a small issue with your boiler.
One step that might see some issues be solved, and is always a good place to start, is by resetting the boiler. If you still have the manual for your boiler then this should tell you exactly where the reset button is. In most cases, you will need to press this button for about 10 seconds to begin the restart. If the issue isn't fixed after two resets then there is a good chance that there is a more complex issue occurring.
DIY Heating Repairs
Re-Pressurise Your Boiler
If you look at the front of your boiler, you should be able to see a water pressure indicator. If the indicator is showing below one then your boiler pressure is too low.
Next, you will need to find the boiler's filling loop, which is usually located at the bottom of the unit.
Ensure that the boiler is switched off and the ends of the hose are fully attached to the valves.
At this point, open the valves and you should be able to hear the water filling up the system. Watch the pressure indicator carefully. Once it reaches 1.5 then close the valves and switch the boiler back on.
Reset Your Boiler
Resetting the boiler is one of the simplest tasks that can be performed on a boiler.
First, refer to your boiler's manual and use this to locate the reset button. On most boilers, this button must then be pressed for 10 seconds.
This will start the reset and after a few minutes, the boiler should be working again.
If after a second restart, the boiler is still not working as it should, then contact a professional.
Bleed Your Radiators
When the heating is switched on, check your radiators to locate which ones aren't warm and aren't working as they should.Once these radiators have been found, turn off your central heating. Leave the radiators to cool first before you attempt anything else.
Now, use a radiator key and attach it to the valve. Using a cloth, turn the key anti-clockwise.
Do it slowly and carefully. If you can hear a hissing sound then this means that there is gas escaping.
Once all the radiator gas has escaped, the valve will need to be closed again.
Change Thermostat Batteries
Changing the batteries in a thermostat is incredibly easy and a task that anyone can carry out.
First, remove the thermostat housing from the wall mount and turn it over in order to find the battery removal slots.
Next, take out the old batteries and replace them with new batteries. Most thermostats will need two AA batteries or two AAA batteries.
Finally, place the thermostat housing back onto the wall mount.
It may take a while, two to three days, for the low battery warning to remove itself from the monitor.
The Dangers Of Boiler DIY
Boilers are dangerous for so many reasons. People think of them as just being full of hot water. Which would be dangerous alone. But they are actually gas appliances. This means that if a boiler is poorly fitted or affixed to the wall, then they can be extremely dangerous. The most serious risk of them all is an explosion due to a gas leak.
This would be lethal and devastating. Although this may seem unlikely and rare, this awful accident actually happens more than you may think. Another danger to keep in mind is the issue of a carbon monoxide leak and eventual poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an invisible odourless gas that can be fatal if enough is inhaled.
Keep this in mind when thinking of working on your own boiler. Though you may save a little bit of money, if you muddle the repair or installation just a little, the results can be disastrous. You may end up with a ticking time bomb.
If major repairs need to be done on your boiler. Call a gas-safe registered plumber.
What To Do When You Have Boiler Problems
There are huge risks associated with trying to do boiler repair on your own. It is always wise to err on the side of caution and to call a gas-safe registered professional plumber when you need to repair your boiler. If you are looking for boiler repair teams locally then don't just settle for simply professionals, you will need to look for plumbers who are fully certified too.
This will mean that they have been fully trained to approach all and any boiler repair situations with safety in mind. Working with boilers can be a dangerous job, so it is important that they keep safety as an absolute priority.
Not only that, but you will also want a team that is fully insured. This means that if any unfortunate damage should occur to your property through your boiler, or any damages during the repair, then you will not have to deal with the costs.
If you attempt to do some DIY yourself, not only are you putting yourself at great risk, but you are also at a high risk of causing some kind of accidental damage either to the boiler itself or your property.
This will, in the end, only end up with you paying extra for more repairs. So don't bother attempting to do the work yourself, simply contact a professional who is fully insured.
If you're ever in doubt with your boiler then it is highly recommended that you err on the side of good sense and caution, and get in contact with gas-safe professionals.
Let them know what your issue is and a good plumber will be able to provide a quote incredibly quickly.
In an emergency, they should also arrive in no time to ensure that you are back up and running without any surprise costs or fees.
Contact a local plumber now, don't put your home or family at risk.
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