Boiler isn’t working? The last thing any of us wants or expects is a boiler breakdown. More often than not, it also happens at the worst time of the year – during winter. The good news is that while many scenarios call for the help of Gas Safe Registered boiler engineers, you can fix some of the issues you might experience yourself.
With that in mind, we are going to run through some of the most common faults with a boiler and how to fix them as cost-effectively as possible using a bit of knowledge and elbow grease!
Common Issues That Cause Boilers to Stop Working Correctly That You Can Fix Yourself
Most boiler malfunctions will need the expert eye of an experienced heating engineer. However, there are some common issues that you can resolve yourself for next to nothing. So let’s give you a rundown of boiler problems and how you can fix them yourself for very little cost.
Loss of Boiler Pressure
Boiler pressure is a measurement of the pressure of the hot water passing through the central heating system. Should the boiler pressure drop too low then the central heating won’t work properly.
To find out if the issue is related to your boiler’s pressure, simply find its pressure gauge. If the needle is anywhere below 1 then the pressure is too low. Typically boiler pressure should sit somewhere between 1 and 2. However, you should consult the manufacturer’s instructions to find the appropriate pressure for your boiler.
To repressurise the boiler to the correct level, follow the instructions in our boiler repressurising guide.
Radiators Are Cold
Another potential boiler issue you can fix yourself is if your boiler doesn’t seem to be sending enough hot water to your radiators. Chances are, you only need to bleed the radiators to get rid of excess air in the system.
The tell-tale sign is that only the bottom of your radiator is getting warm. If so, use a radiator bleed key to get rid of the excess air and refill your radiator with hot water.
If a few specific radiators are cold, it could be that your system needs rebalancing to ensure that all radiators receive enough hot water. You can do this without the help of a heating engineer, but only if you feel confident doing it. The process is simply a case of adjusting the valves on each radiator until you achieve a better balance of hot water distribution.
Condensate Pipe Issues
This issue usually flares up in winter. For those unaware, the condensate pipe is the white plastic pipe that flows from the bottom of the boiler to the outside of your property.
They can freeze up during the colder months of the year, leaving water to backfill into the boiler. This usually results in the boiler either shutting down or returning a fault code (which, again, you can check online or cross-reference with your manual).
The easiest fix is to pour boiling water from your kettle over your plastic pipe and wait for it to thaw out. You should then be able to reset your boiler and restore functionality. Alternatively, you can read our blocked condensate pipe DIY recommendations here if it has become blocked with debris.
For More Severe Issues, Always Call in the Professionals
As demonstrated above, there are plenty of instances where your boiler might not be working properly, and you can quite easily fix them yourself for very little outlay. However, the truth is that you should call out an engineer if your boiler is:
- Leaking
- Kettling
- Making strange noises
- Turning itself off
- Providing no heating or hot water
While you might think that a boiler repair company might cost a small fortune, the truth is that what you spend on a quick, simple repair will pale into insignificance compared to leaving an issue until it graduates to the stage of requiring a full boiler replacement.
Call GHS Group Today to Protect Your Boiler
So if you experience an issue with your boiler that you can’t fix yourself, make sure to call a reputable boiler repair company such as the GHS Group to ensure you receive a quick and cost-effective solution to your issue. We provide boiler repairs, servicing and replacements to area’s in Hampshire such as Gospot, Fareham, Stubbington and Portsmouth to name a few.
Restoring your boiler to full working order for the minimum cost is our priority. We will always advise you of all possible solutions so you can make an informed decision before proceeding.
Alternatively, you can get proactive with your maintenance and sign up for a boiler maintenance plan that will protect you against the worst faults happening in the first place. With plans starting from just £7 a month, it’s the cheapest way to ensure your boiler keeps working as long as it should.
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