If your boiler suddenly decides to shut down when you need it most, maybe it's time to get serviced?
It may even be time for an upgrade to a new system,
Winter is here and the last thing anyone needs is central heating that will not work on a chilly morning or evening.
Here are some common problems and some quick fixes and checks. But the best option is to call tAbbey boiler engineers so you can relax while we solve your problem for you.
1. No heating or hot water ?
Boilers have an important role to play and when they decide they don't want to play football it can be very frustrating. A number of problems can cause boiler failure, and many involve faulty components that can only be repaired by a professional gas engineer.
However, sometimes low pressure can be the cause and this can be easily remedied by using the system intake loop (refer to the boiler manual if you are unsure of how to do this).
You can usually determine if your boiler pressure is too low by looking at its built-in pressure gauge. Ideally, your boiler pressure should ideally be at or near 1 - 1.5. If it is less than 1, your boiler will not be able to work correctly. If it's less than one, it's probably a leaky pipe, but if there's no obvious leak, you can refill it using a loop. Other technical issues will require an expert.
2. The boiler does not turn on?
If your boiler won't start, you must first check the fuse box to see if any switches have slipped and all other appliances are working. If everything appears to be working, you should contact us as a Certified Gas Safety Engineer is needed.
3. Pilot light off ?
When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it by following the directions on the water heater label. If the pilot doesn't relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly it could be a bad thermocouple, which is a job for a qualified engineer.
4. Cold patches on radiator or heater are inefficient ?
If heating is uneven in your home, or if it seems like the heater must be turned up too high, it could be something as simple as cold spots in the radiator.
If you touch the heater there are cold spots, especially near the top, it may be due to trapped air inside.
This air can be easily released by bleeding your radiators using an air release key that you can buy at any hardware store. Make sure you have a rag that drains the water out of the air, and only do so when your radiator is cold.
5. Frozen condenser piping?
The condensate pipe carries condensate from your boiler to your outdoor drain. A common problem during the colder months is that these freeze and cause blockages. This can be solved by carefully pouring hot water through the pipe or placing a hot water bottle inside. Securing or insulating the pipes can prevent this problem from happening again.
6. The boiler does not respond to the thermostat?
If your thermostat doesn't seem to be connecting to the boiler, check if the thermostat is working by replacing the batteries. It is also necessary to check that the time is set correctly. Most boilers have. manual override which can turn your heating on and off as. quick fix while you have the thermostat looked at.
You should only perform simple and risk-free checks on your boiler.
Do not try to solve serious problems on your own as this can be extremely dangerous.
If your boiler is gurgling or hissing or appears to be leaking, which could be caused by a faulty pressure valve or pump seal, you should seek professional help immediately !
All of our engineers are Gas Safe registered, highly trained and qualified to diagnose and resolve any possible central heating or plumbing problems that can arise in your home.
Don't let boiler problems get worse as they can cost you more in the long run.
Call Abbey Boilers today on 01403 275512 to speak with our team of experts and schedule an appointment with one of our Gas Safe engineers.