It’s always annoying when your boiler stops working properly. If you are not sure what to do, its best to get a plumbing and heating services engineer to take a look. Boiler problems are actually more common than you think. In fact, one study found that in 2016, one in five homes in the UK suffered a boiler breakdown!
Boiler problems could potentially be dangerous if not sorted properly. We want to help you to identify what is wrong with your boiler, so that you know whether the issue is able to be fixed yourself with a simple adjustment or two or if you will need a qualified Gas Safe engineer to fix it for you.
1. Low boiler pressure
One of the most common boiler issues is low pressure. Your boiler relies on an optimum pressure level to be able to maintain the circulation of water throughout your system. Usually, you are able to identify if your boiler has lost pressure by looking at the pressure gauge.
There could be a number of reasons that you are suffering from low system pressure, such as a leak or you have recently bled your radiators and the system has lost pressure.
Leaks within the system can be caused through failed joints or seals. If you spot a leak, do not attempt to open the boiler or fix the leak alone. This is a job for a professional.
However, if you can’t spot an obvious leak, or you have recently bled your radiators or kept your heating off for an extended period of time and know this to be the cause, you can top up your boiler pressure yourself. Open the filling loop taps on your boiler until you achieve the desired pressure. This is usually around one bar. Once this is done, close both taps, and your boiler should start to work properly once more.
2. No heating or hot water
When your boiler doesn’t do the thing it’s meant to do (heat your home and/or provide you with hot water), naturally you will be frustrated and want to fix the issue as quickly as possible.
There can be multiple reasons for your boiler to experience a complete ‘lockout’, including a pressure issue, frozen pipes, faulty valves or thermostat problems. If you’ve checked your pressure and it is normal, reach out to our gas safe general plumbers who should be able to help. They will be able to repair your boiler for you as quickly as possible and get your boiler back to full working order. Learn more about boiler servicing and repairs.
3. Frozen condensate pipe
A condensate pipe is an additional pipe that allows slightly acidic waste water to be removed from your boiler, to a suitable termination point.
It can be common for the condensate pipe to freeze if it’s ran externally to the property, especially in the colder months, causing the boiler to stop working. Most of the time, you will know when a frozen condensate pipe is causing your boiler to lock out because a relevant fault code will appear on the boiler.
This issue is often resolved easily by thawing out the contents of the pipe. Usually, the pipe will be frozen at its most exposed point, such as at the open end of the pipe or at a bend. Pour hot water along the length of the pipe, repeating the process until the pipe has thawed out. Make sure not to use boiling water, as it can crack or damage the pipe.
For long-term prevention, it might be a good idea to insulate the pipe, and if it is installed externally, get an engineer to relocate the pipe so that it is inside as much as possible.
4. Radiator faults
If you’ve noticed that a radiator is warm at the bottom but cold at the top, then it probably needs bleeding. This is a common issue that occurs when there is trapped air, preventing the circulation of warm water around the entire radiator. It is an easy problem to fix by bleeding your radiators, using a bleed key and a bucket/bowl.
If the radiators throughout your house are all heating up at different speeds, they probably need balancing. This is a bit more of a complex procedure, so it is worth contacting a plumber to do this for you.
5. Gurgling, banging or whistling noises coming from your boiler
It is normal for your boiler to make some noise whilst it’s in operation, especially when it is staring up. However, if your boiler suddenly begins to make unusual banging, whistling or gurgling noises, this may be caused by other issues. Unusual boiler noises can be caused by air in the system, a faulty pump, low water pressure or even a build-up of limescale.
If you notice unusual noises coming from your boiler, we recommend getting in touch with a qualified engineer so that they can diagnose and fix the issue.
How GreenSmart can help
At GreenSmart, we have vast knowledge of all things plumbing and heating. We pride ourselves on our high standard of work and the excellent customer service that we provide. If you notice any issues with your boiler, feel free to contact us and one of our friendly team will be happy to help.
