Fix that bothersome boiler in 2020

During the course of our daily lives, we just get used to things working the way they should. We don’t give much thought to the behind-the-scenes engineering that takes place every day to give us our heating, hot water and power. However, when it goes wrong, our lives are instantly thrown into disarray, chaos and misery! And you know that the one time your boiler breaks down will be in the middle of winter, when it’s working its hardest and you need it the most. Here are some common problems that can occur:

Leaking – if you notice a leak coming from your boiler, it could be caused by a number of issues. Commonly, the cause will be a damaged or broken internal part such as a pump seal or valve. A pump seal leak will most likely just need a replacement seal and a pressure leak could mean that your boiler pressure is too high. Never attempt to fix a leaky boiler on your own as you’ll need a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Pilot light not working – this could be the result of a draught blowing it out, a build-up of dirty deposits on the light or a faulty thermocouple shutting off the gas supply. Check other gas appliances to see if they are working and if not, check with your gas supplier in case there is a supply problem. If this isn’t the problem then you will need the advice of a professional gas engineer. Never try to carry out work on the boiler yourself. For Boiler repair Gloucester, visit http://www.hprservicesltd.com/gloucester-boilers/boiler-installation-gloucester/

Low Pressure – if you notice your central heating is not working as it should, it could be that your boiler pressure has dropped too low. Take a look at the pressure gauge on your boiler and if it shows as below 1 then there might a problem. There could be a possible leak in the system somewhere or a pressure valve that needs replacing. You can check for a leak yourself and if you find one, call for an engineer.

Thermostat problems – if your thermostat has started turning on and off when it’s not supposed to then it might need replacing. Check first to see if it is set at the right settings and hasn’t been accidentally knocked. It could also be that your home is warmer than you think and the thermostat won’t let the boiler heat your home higher than it’s been set at. If it’s old and just losing accuracy then it’s time for a new one.

Strange noises – does your boiler make a sound like a kettle boiling? This noise, known as kettling, occurs when limescale or dirt has accumulated on the boiler’s heat exchanger. The flow of water becomes restricted within the exchanger and overheats, causing it to boil. This mostly occurs in hard water areas and causes higher running costs and a shorter lifespan for the system. To properly flush out the system and remove the deposits, call a professional.