Homeowners put up with a fair share of maintenance responsibilities, to keep homes warm and comfortable. A malfunctioning boiler can quickly turn your cosy house into a cold and unwelcoming space.
Before you rush to your phone to call a gas engineer for a service or if a problem has interrupted the heating, consider conducting a few simple checks.
Sometimes, the solution to your boiler woes can be simpler and less costly than you think. Below are five preliminary checks you can perform:
1. Inspect the Power Supply
First things first, ensure that your boiler’s power supply hasn’t been compromised.
Check if the fuse or main circuit breaker connected to the boiler has tripped. A quick reset might be all that’s needed to get things up and running.
Verify that your home’s electricity is functioning normally by testing other electrical appliances. If they’re also not working, the issue may lie with your overall electricity supply, and you’ll need to contact your electricity provider.
2. Check the Gas Supply
Your boiler needs a steady gas supply to operate efficiently. Make sure that the emergency control valve is in the open position to allow gas flow.
The same goes for your gas stopcock; ensure it’s open. If after these checks your boiler still isn’t receiving gas, you may be facing a larger gas supply issue, necessitating a call to your gas supplier instead of a gas engineer.
3. Check the Pilot Light
For those with older boiler models featuring a pilot light, ensure it’s lit. Extinguished pilot lights are a common cause of boiler malfunction. Most boilers come with instructions on how to reignite the pilot light safely.
For newer boilers that don’t use a pilot light, look for a deblocking button to reignite the burner. Remember, if the gas pressure is too low, this might inhibit the boiler’s ability to restart.
4. Adjust Boiler Controls and Thermostats
Improper settings on your boiler controls and thermostat can be misleading, making you think there’s a fault with your boiler.
Double-check that the timer is set correctly and aligns with your expected heating schedule.
Review the thermostat setting. It’s possible that the boiler won’t activate because the thermostat is set too low. Incrementally increasing the temperature setting might kick-start the system.
It’s worth noting that older thermostats might lose accuracy over time and require replacement.
5. Boiler Pressure and Reset Button
Low pressure, particularly in combi boilers, is a prevalent issue that can significantly impair your boiler’s performance. Examine the boiler’s pressure gauge; typically, it should hover around 1 bar when the boiler is cold.
If the pressure is too low, it could prevent the boiler from restarting for safety reasons. You can remedy this by using the filling loop to reintroduce water into the system, thereby increasing the pressure.
If your boiler has tripped any safety devices, locating and pressing the reset button – usually found on the front of most boilers – could resolve the issue without professional intervention.
6. Signs of Gas Leaks
The exception is when signs of a gas leak are evident. In this case, you need to first call your gas supplier. Three signs of gas leaks:
Smell of Gas: A strong, distinct odour similar to rotten eggs, as an artificial smell is added to gas for easy detection.
Hissing Sound: An unusual hissing or whooshing noise near gas appliances or pipes.
Dead or Dying Plants: Vegetation near gas lines that die or become discoloured for no apparent reason.
Before proceeding with any of the above checks, ensure you’ve consulted your boiler’s manual for specific instructions and boiler safety guidelines.
If after these preliminary checks your boiler remains non-functional, call a qualified, Gas Safe registered engineer at JDF Maintenance to diagnose and repair any deeper issues. Regular boiler maintenance is essential to avoid unexpected breakdowns and ensure your home remains a warm, welcoming space.
