Who Do I Call For Boiler Problems
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- 01-02-2022
If you have a problem with your central heating you may ask: who do I call for boiler problems? We look at when to call a heating engineer and why they should be gas safe registered.
Boiler Advice For New Homeowners
When you first buy a house, there are many details and checks you must complete to save yourself from additional panic payments. Understanding your central heating system is crucial as you will need an annual service, and a Gas Safe engineer will advise on the best course of action when boiler problems arise.
While good maintenance and familiarising yourself with heating controls and thermostat settings will keep your energy bills low and the central heating system healthy, there are some more tips that a new homeowner should follow.
Ensure The Boiler Is In Good Condition Before Buying
Before you sign the finalising paperwork, you should ensure that the central heating system has been serviced annually and the relevant services have left it in good condition. In the case of a rented property, your landlord is responsible for all boiler repairs before moving in.
When buying a property, the seller must indicate when the boiler was installed.
The Law Society Property Information Form outlines that all property sellers must identify the last service date and last maintenance check, which you can request before moving in. Your solicitor will typically request a copy from the seller during the inspection report.
Hiring Gas Safe Engineers
Before you sign the finalising paperwork, you should ensure that the central heating system has been serviced annually and the relevant services have left it in good condition. In the case of a rented property, your landlord is responsible for all boiler repairs before moving in.
When buying a property, the seller must indicate when the boiler was installed.
The Law Society Property Information Form outlines that all property sellers must identify the last service date and last maintenance check, which you can request before moving in. Your solicitor will typically request a copy from the seller during the inspection report.
This article will go over some common boiler problems you will face in commercial properties and how to fix your boiler during the cold weather when they are on the fritz.
When Do I Call A Boiler Engineer?
There are many signs that a boiler will benefit from a Gas Safe registered engineer inspection. As a new homeowner, maintaining your boiler can be daunting when faced with worrying signs that you're yet to understand.
Noise comes from pipes, dealing with cold areas, understanding pipes, and radiator bleed are all issues you must understand to keep your bedrooms and bathrooms warm.
If you're unsure of what to do when one of these problems happen, you must remember that most jobs can be solved and calling a professional heating engineer is the first thing you should do.
While you may be able to assess the situation yourself, you may make the boiler cover void by tampering with your boiler yourself.
Here are the five most common moments and signs you should observe before calling a boiler engineer:
01
Water Leaks
Having a water leak along the pipes or circulation pump can be a fault that quickly causes the entire system not to work efficiently or at all. Water damage can quickly set in and cause mould in your property, creating more problems for the future.
A leaking boiler will need a registered plumber to assess and potentially replace internal components before flooding, or moisture corrosion can happen.
While leaking can be difficult to spot, you can sometimes hear the sound of dripping water, which is an indicator of a faulty boiler. In these instances, it's advisable to contact a professional engineer.
02
No Heating Or Hot Water
When you notice that your central heating system is no longer warming your radiators, you may immediately panic, but there could be an obvious fix behind it all.
Sometimes a faulty thermostat unit or valves on older models that need tightening can lead to heat being lost around the home.
Low pressure can also lead to no hot water, which can be worrying in the winter months. If your gas boiler shows any of these symptoms, you should contact someone before more significant problems emerge.
03
Water Temperature Fluctuations
If you notice inconsistent water temperatures throughout your home, or if the hot water supply runs out quickly, this is a sign that your boiler is experiencing problems.
Older models experience troubles with their water regulated heat, either only getting hot when the central heating system is on full blast or if the water gets hotter than normal.
Noting particular rooms in your house that don't receive hot water will also help your plumber locate the problems.
04
Unusual Noises
Your central heating system makes a range of noises on any day, especially as you adjust the temperature and the cold begins to get flushed out.
The pipework and boiler make many usual noises, especially when everything turns on and off or when someone uses a hot tap.
The unusual noises to listen to with combi boilers are hissing, banging, knocking, or gurgling noises throughout the system, caused by dirt, sludge, and limescale built up inside.
Most build-ups can be solved by a Power Flush of your system, which if you haven't done before, you should contact a plumber as soon as possible to clean the system out.
If you hear regular noises that sound dangerous, you may need a replacement boiler.
05
No Pilot Light
A boiler without a pilot light will be unable to ignite the gas and start the flame necessary for warming the water.
While newer models are equipped with an ignitor, you may need to light a match for the initial ignition of an older model.
Sometimes a simple fix can solve the problem, which could have been caused by a draught or a build-up of debris or broken components affecting the gas supply.
You can safely attempt to ignite the pilot light again, but you should contact a boiler engineer to ensure this is done correctly as this is a gas appliance.
They can also advise you on how to stop this from happening in the future and what to do if you smell gas.
Common Boiler Problems
Understanding what common boiler problems to look out for will help you keep your heating systems healthy and save you money in the long run. If you have a Combi Boiler or something older, you should begin to understand the various symptoms of a boiler breakdown before it happens and ensure the highest safety standards are met for your boiler service.
Low pressure in the heating system can cause many different things. Most commonly, you will experience the boiler switching itself off or the radiators that are furthest away become cold and perhaps stop heating up altogether.
You may hear banging noises from the pipework and central heating system, but thankfully the fix is relatively straightforward.
The filling loop on your boiler may need tweaking either DIY or by a professional plumber. Most boiler models have a pressure gauge on the front, which you can monitor daily. If the pressure is reading less than 1 bar, you should tweak the valve to between 1 and 1.5.
Once you have done this, you may need to reset the boiler or simply switch it off and then on again. If you reset the boiler pressure regularly and notice a significant drop beyond the normal, you may be experiencing a leak somewhere, at which point you need an engineer.
Having a frozen condensate pipe is a common issue during the winter months, and thawing it can be challenging. You'll know when you're suffering from a frozen pipe, as your boiler won't fire up, and there will be more gurgling noise and sounds from the boiler when you attempt to use it.
When the temperature outside gets especially cold, you will begin to have difficulty with your condensate pipe, especially if there has been snow or ice recently. The best solution is to apply not water and a warm compress directly to the pipe, but you should be careful not to use boiling water.
You can experience problems with your thermostat or boiler settings, and these are generally an easy fix. If the boiler is coming on at random times, or not when you've programmed it to, or doesn't fire up at all, then you may have to monitor the panel once again.
If you have had a power cut recently, the boiler may experience timing issues, or someone may have knocked or touched the thermostat without realising it.
Double-check the central heating dial on the boiler and consult the instruction manual if you're unsure at any point. Increasing the temperature on the thermostat may help it kick into action too.
If your particular boiler has a control panel, you may have noticed an error code or issues with the boiler firing up in the first place. A red light (also known as the lock-out) may be displayed on your boiler, indicating that a simple reset is required.
Sometimes the boiler reset button can be hidden, but check around the front or back panel for it. The instruction manual should indicate where the switch is found.
If you have reset it and the error message is still there, you will benefit from consulting an engineer to come and inspect, as there could be a greater issue.
As with all of these fixes, only complete what you feel comfortable doing so, and contact a professional for further assistance. Many boiler manufacturers will not allow DIY work and require a Gas Safe engineer to come and assess the unit, so arrange an appointment with a trusted company as soon as possible.
If you require further gas central heating services, don't hesitate to contact our friendly and experienced team today, who can help you when your boiler breaks.
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