Your boiler is the lifeblood of your home, keeping you warm and cosy. But as boilers age, they lose their efficiency. Moreover, they cause frequent repairs and you spend money on them. The repair costs and maintenance can be a big burden on the pocket. Replacing your boiler can be a bigger dent in your bank account.
There is a smart way to go about your old boiler troubles. The best way to do so is the free boiler scheme. This initiative aims to help low-income households save energy and money on their heating costs. So if you qualify, you don’t have to pay back even a single pound.
Whether your boiler is old or new, knowing small issues and their solutions is essential. We can help you diagnose common boiler problems and get your heating system back up and running in no time. In this post, we will be providing a breakdown of common boiler troubles, their potential causes, and some quick fixes.
Boiler keeps switching off?
Various issues like thermostat problems, low water pressure, or lack of flow can cause this. To fix this, firstly, check the pressure and thermostat as mentioned earlier. Secondly, bleed the radiators and re-pressurize the system. Thirdly, if it doesn’t work, call a registered boiler engineer for repairs. Moreover, for peace of mind, consider boiler cover plans!
Boiler not responding to the thermostat?
Without a doubt, a faulty thermostat can disrupt a healthy system. So to adjust it, check the thermostat settings. Also, see if a bump has switched it off or changed the settings. Next, if the settings seem okay but the temperature isn’t right, replace the thermostat.
The pilot light keeps going out
This is a common issue. It could be caused by a simple draft blowing out the flame or a dirty gas nozzle. In other cases, a faulty thermocouple might be stopping the gas supply. Thermocouple? It’s a safety device that senses temperature changes and cuts the gas if the pilot light goes out. First, check if other gas appliances are working. Next, if it doesn’t work, call your gas supplier. But, if they’re okay, try reigniting the pilot light. Moreover, follow the boiler manual in case of confusion. Modern boilers don’t have pilot lights, so replace yours if the problem persists.
Leaking boiler?
Leaks can stem from broken components like seals or valves, or even corrosion. Plus, they can take place at any time especially if your boiler is an outdated one. So you need to call an engineer immediately. But never attempt to fix a faulty boiler yourself. It is risky.
Boiler making strange noises?
Gurgling, whistling, or banging noises often indicate air trapped in the system. Low water pressure or a failing pump could also be culprits. So don’t ignore these noises – they might point to a bigger issue. In fact, the type of noise and its location help identify the issue. So if your boiler is humming, adjust the settings or check the connections. If unsure, call a professional for help. Furthermore, bleeding the radiators might solve gurgling sounds. But a frozen condensate pipe could also cause this. So knocking pipes are usually normal due to expansion and contraction. But check if they’re too tightly fixed.
Boiler sounds like a kettle?
This rumbling noise likely indicates a build-up of sludge or scale restricting water flow, a common problem in hard water areas. So this is beyond the scope of DIY. Call a registered engineer to get your system professionally flushed.
No heating or hot water?
Several reasons could explain this, and some might require replacement parts. This is a major and very common issue. What you can do to resolve it is to first, check the boiler pressure and thermostat settings. If these seem fine, call an engineer for repairs.
Low boiler pressure?
If the pressure gauge reads below one, you might leak. What you can do: Look for leaks. If you find one, call an engineer right away. But if there are no leaks, try carefully re-pressurizing the system following the boiler manual. Next, if the pressure doesn’t hold, call an engineer – there might be a faulty component.
Frozen condensate pipe?
Condensing boilers have a pipe that can freeze in cold weather, causing noise in the pipes. Your boiler should have a fault code to warn you about this. To deal with it, tutorials online can show you how to thaw a condensate pipe safely. But if you need more clarification, call a registered engineer for help.
Cold radiators?
Air in the central heating system is the most likely culprit if your radiators are only partially warm or not working. In this regard, you need to bleed the radiators. If that doesn’t work, the system might need flushing, which requires a professional engineer.
Bottom line
In conclusion, familiarize yourself with common boiler troubles. Learn basic troubleshooting tips to catch minor issues early. This can help you avoid a cold and uncomfortable home. However, if you’re unsure about the cause of the problem, don’t hesitate to call a qualified engineer. They can diagnose and repair the boiler, especially if the fix seems complex.
