What To Do If Your Boiler Breaks Down
A boiler malfunction is a nightmare, especially in the winter! When your boiler breaks, it is usually a good idea to have a qualified professional gas-safe engineer come out and repair it. However, there are some issues that you may be able to resolve without calling a professional. The following are five typical boiler problems and how to recognise and repair them yourself.
5 Self-Repair Boiler Problems
Low Pressure
Your boiler’s pressure is low if:
- It turns itself off.
- The central heating system creates hammering noises.
- Radiators farthest away from the boiler cease to heat.
The solution is simple: simply adjust the filling loop via the valve on your boiler until the pressure gauge reads between 1 and 1.5.
It’s worth noting that if this problem persists and you have to continuously change the pressure of your boiler, it could signal a leak in the system, which will necessitate the services of a gas-safe qualified engineer to inspect and repair.
Pipes Frozen
The following are indications that the condensate pipe has frozen:
- The boiler will not turn on.
- Outside temperatures are below zero.
- When the boiler is turned on, it generates gurgling sounds.
Cold weather and boilers do not mix; a frozen condensate line is one of the primary causes of boiler malfunctions in the winter. You can try to thaw the condensate line manually by applying hot (but not boiling) water and a warm compress directly to the pipe.
Issues with the boiler or thermostat settings
Here are some indicators:
- The boiler will not start.
- Error codes on the thermostat’s blank panel
- The boiler does not turn on when it should or performs strangely.
There are a few reasons that could have caused this, such as a power outage or a minor knock, so it’s always worth checking and making any necessary changes. If you’re not sure how to do this, see your boiler manual for advice. It’s also a good idea to make sure the boiler’s central heating dial is turned up.
You should also check the thermostat settings; if the temperature is set to less than 21°C, your boiler may not start, so try raising the temperature to see if it solves the problem. If your thermostat does not have a display, it is likely that the batteries need to be replaced.
The pilot light has gone out.
The following are indications that your pilot light has failed:
- The boiler will not turn on.
- You can’t see your boiler’s pilot light.
A pilot light might go out for a variety of reasons; nevertheless, it should be quite simple to relight; simply follow the instructions on your boiler. It is crucial to remember that if you smell gas, see a change in the colour of the flame, or see sooty marks surrounding the boiler, you immediately turn off the burner and call the emergency gas line at 0800 111 999.
If your pilot light continues to blow out, you should call a gas-safety-qualified engineer to inspect it and make any necessary repairs.
The boiler has locked up and has to be reset.
This is happening as follows:
- Your boiler’s red lock-out light keeps flashing.
- Control panel error code
- The boiler will not turn on.
In this situation, resting your boiler is frequently all that is required. If you can’t find the boiler reset button someplace on the control panel, check your boiler manual and follow the instructions in there.
If this problem persists, it could be a symptom of a larger issue, so you should call a gas-safety-qualified engineer to inspect it.
Although all of the above options are absolutely safe to try on your own, the majority of boiler problems should be left to the specialists.