Have you been asking: How do I know if my boiler needs repairing? We look at the common problems to look for with your central heating system to discover if you require boiler repair.
Do You Need Boiler Repair or Replacement?
Many warning signs show whether or not your boiler needs to be serviced and maintained by professionals with adequate repairs or replacements; for example, leaking boilers clearly indicate an issue.
However, some of the issues can be underlying, which is why it's so crucial to have engineers carry out thorough inspections to decipher what your faulty boiler needs to function throughout the colder months.
The advantages of regular boiler maintenance
Homeowners and landlords must give all households and business properties across England and the UK sufficient maintenance for all their appliances.
A monthly or annual check-up on central heating systems and boilers is essential for avoiding future problems and for professionals to help detect underlying issues that could worsen if neglected
A professional heating company can successfully offer monthly, quarterly and yearly boiler inspections for clients and happy customers throughout your local and surrounding areas.
These inspections tend to include assessments of all internal components, which can tell whether there are issues with pressure relief, pilot lights or the heating pump that can be located and immediately repaired, which helps save you time and more money.
Another significant advantage of having a boiler service from a reputable boiler company is that you can ensure the warranty contracts or membership on your boiler or with your trusted company is valid.
How to tell when your boiler needs replacing:
Lack of Maintenance
Remember back to the last time qualified experts serviced your boiler; if the last time was a few years back, it's time to contact maintenance and engineer specialists. You don't want to wake up one cold winter night or morning and discover that your central heating system is no longer functioning.
Do not put off professional maintenance services for your electric, gas and oil boilers; they can experience wear and tear that engineers must inspect for the safety of those inside your property. For a warm, cosy wintertime with an operating boiler system, we recommend calling for help and boiler repairs.
Clogged Filters
Occasionally, your boiler filter may become clogged from continuous use. Contact professionals; they can replace or clean your filters to eliminate debris or build-up. We highly recommend replacing your system's filter approximately once a month.
Have an engineer inspect your central heating systems if you uncover your filter to be dirtier than usual, as this may insinuate a larger issue or inefficiency, leading to expensive breakdowns.
Leaks
Suppose you notice your boiler is leaking; it's essential to call local professionals to fix the issue to its full capacity. They are a significant indication that your broken boiler isn't operating efficiently; however, it also signifies larger problems on the horizon.
An undetected or neglected leak from your boiler can result in mould growth, carbon monoxide leaks and extensive property damage, so do not wait to call for immediate emergency services to receive the full benefits.
Poor Energy Efficiency
Several problems could occur underneath the surface that you may be ignorant of, which is why it is significant to have annual boiler inspections. Many homeowners surprised by the increase in monthly bills could have boiler issues brewing inside their system without knowing, which should be an indicator of some internal faults.
If you are hyperaware that your energy consumption has stayed the same, but your bills are higher, you could have poor energy efficiency. In 2022-2023, it is known that energy costs are expected to rise, so it's paramount that you have a boiler that works and operates properly.
So you'll want to ensure that the rise that you see is due to rising costs and not inefficiency by having a boiler inspection from a qualified engineer.
Slow to Heat Up
Many homeowners may be hesitant to call professional engineers or boiler repair companies when they experience radiators and central heating systems that are slow to heat, as eventually they heat up and the issue 'disappears.'
However, this could indicate a larger problem along the line and evoke costly energy bills at the end of the year or month. With a more updated boiler system, you can discover a cosier, warm atmosphere at a faster pace, meaning you don't have to keep your heating and hot water on as long.
Operating Issues
You may be experiencing problems with differing temperatures throughout your home or property, such as one room being hotter or warmer whereas the other is ice cold.
If this is the case, typically, your boiler no longer operates efficiently due to an air handling or control issue. Such an issue is an opportunity to have your boiler repaired or replaced with a new boiler installed before the problems worsen.
Sounds coming from your boiler
If you frequently hear hissing or other strange noises emitting from your boiler, it may be a clear sign that your system has developed a deposit. If deposits in your boiler system begin to accumulate, it is paramount that you hire professional engineers to clean out your boiler and supply efficient, regular maintenance.
If this issue is neglected, it could cause total breakdowns that are expensive to recover.
Age of Your Unit
It's wise to know how old your boiler is, as this can inform how far it is in its lifespan and how many years of efficiency it may have left.
For those with units that have provided years' worth of excellent services, however, if you've had the same system for approximately ten years, it may be time to replace it. Over the years, your boiler can experience far more wear and tear, which leads to damage.
Poor Air Circulation
If you perceive that your boiler system is no longer functioning or heating up at the same rate or temperature it was designed to; please pay attention. Your boiler belt or fan motor could be part of the issue, so you must call up a boiler expert in your area and have them inspect the problem and repair it.
It's costly to have your boiler replaced, especially its significant components like the belt or fan motor inside your boiler mechanism, so ensure you get advice and a proper check-up from gas registered engineers.
Gas Leakage
For those that smell gas within their home or property, we recommend you turn your boiler's gas supply or central heating system off as quickly as possible and avoid sparks from switches or lighters, as these can cause electrical shocks or damage your health and well-being.
Ensure you contact all the right professionals in your area to visit your site as soon as possible; gas leakages can be serious to your health, causing death in some cases, especially with carbon monoxide.
What to do when your boiler breaks down unexpectedly?
One of the most significant steps to implore when your boiler suddenly breaks down is to steer clear of DIY projects to attempt to repair your system. Boilers and other gas appliances can be hazardous for those without experience with these systems. Should your boiler break down without signs of previously identified faults, be sure to turn off the gas and electrical power, as this will prevent issues from worsening.
We would encourage home and property owners to address the issues at hand as soon as possible by contacting a local qualified professional or reputable repair company, as unrepaired boilers with plenty of issues can lead to detrimental damage or death. It's essential to ensure that your boiler is repaired quickly if it stops functioning. In the worst-case scenario, you may experience a host of issues, including water damage or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Many boiler companies offer 24/7 emergency call-out services, so you can call them at any hour if you're experiencing severe issues with gas and electrical appliances that could put you and your family or employees in immediate danger. Unless it's a much smaller issue, you don't have to wait till the following day or the next business day, as boiler engineers can come to your aid to fix the problem in your home or workplace. Once you've called, your local company will dispatch a technician to your location to arrive within 30 minutes or the following hour. All aspects of your boiler system will be evaluated, diagnosed and repaired.
When it comes to professional gas engineers, we're the experts to come to. Here at Cardiff Gas Services, we only employ and provide the best heating engineers in the game. We offer Gas Safe boiler installation, repair and servicing throughout Cardiff.
