You've been using your good friend IE for quite some time now. It has been a reliable companion for probably the last 20 years.
Unfortunately, due to technology constantly evolving, we would like to kindly ask you to update your browser to one of your liking from the ones listed below. This will ensure that you're going to have good time on our site. Actually, any site really.
Farewell, Internet Explorer.
Boiler problems can cause a significant headache, particularly during the winter months. From leaks to cold radiators, boilers can suffer from a wide range of issues if not serviced regularly. Fortunately, most of the most common issues are easy to identify and can easily be fixed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Below we have listed the top ten most common boiler problems across all types of condensing boilers.
One of the most common boiler issues is a boiler leak. Leaks can be a nuisance because not only can they cause water damage to a home, but water can also cause electrical components in and around the boiler to malfunction. These can include:
A leak should always be treated as a serious issue. If you find a leak you should call a qualified heating engineer as soon as possible to investigate. Do not attempt to remove the boiler casing yourself to find the source of the leak.
_image_640w_360h.jpg "running tap")
Another frequent issue with gas boilers that are not serviced annually is having hot water but no central heating.
Firstly, if you have a combi boiler, it might be set to heat only water, not the central heating. This often happens during summer when radiators aren't needed and the setting is forgotten about. Check your boiler display to see if this is the case.
Another cause could be trapped air in the radiators. Bleeding the radiators will release the trapped air and restore proper heating.
If your central heating system still isn't turning on despite having hot water, there might be a fault in the boiler or heating system. A Gas Safe engineer can investigate and identify the issue.
Low boiler pressure can result in cold radiators and no hot water. You can check the boiler display panel to identify low pressure, on the boiler display panel, where either a digital or physical dial The ideal pressure level is typically around 1.5 bars, though this can vary slightly depending on the boiler's make and model.
Two reasons boiler pressure could drop are:
Low boiler pressure can be fixed by repressurising the boiler. This involves opening the boiler filling loop to allow water to re-enter the system.
Check out our guide on repressurising a boiler to see the full list of steps to follow.
Another common boiler problem is kettling. Boiler kettling occurs when water is heated too quickly and reaches boiling point, causing steam to be generated and air to become trapped. The trapped air gives off a whistling sound, like a kettle.
Boiler kettling can be caused by limescale build-up, which slows down the flow of water in the system and causes it to heat excessively. A faulty component on the appliance could cause the boiler to heat water to higher temperatures than expected.
A boiler engineer will be able to inspect the system and identify the cause of the kettling. Sometimes the noisy component can simply be cleaned using different methods, alternatively replacing the parts may be required.
A frozen condensate pipe is an issue that many people face during the colder months. Every condensing boiler has a pipe that transports waste water produced during the condensing process outside the property. If temperatures drop below freezing, the water in the condensate pipe can become frozen, forcing the system to shut down automatically as a precautionary measure.
The best way to fix a frozen condensate pipe is to pour warm water onto it to thaw it. This should allow waste water to exit the pipe, meaning the boiler can turn back on. For further detail on this, check out our gguide on how to safely resolve a frozen condensate pipe or watch the video for a more indepth guide.
If your boiler isn't providing heat or hot water, it might need some attention. There are several reasons why a boiler may stop delivering central heating or hot water:
A boiler may stop providing central heating or hot water for several reasons:
A lack of central heating and hot water can be down to any number of these things, so it’s always best to call a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect the boiler and resolve the issue.
If left unserviced, a boiler may over time begin to randomly switch off. There are a number of potential reasons for this, including:
If you notice that your boiler keeps switching on and off, it may be because of one of these faults. Depending on the severity, a qualified engineer will be able to say whether the problem can be fixed, or whether a new boiler is needed.
Homeowners have a variety of heating controls and thermostats to choose from to boost their home's energy efficiency. These devices work wonders, but it can be frustrating when your boiler stops responding.
If you suspect an issue, first check if the thermostat's temperature is set above the current room temperature. If it is, your thermostat is likely fine. If the room is cooler than the thermostat setting, try replacing the batteries or moving the thermostat closer to its receiver. If this doesn't help, the thermostat might be faulty and need replacing.
Beyond boiler kettling, there are a wide range of strange noises that a boiler can make:
Strange boiler noises do not usually mean there is an immediate danger with the system. Nonetheless, an engineer should be called as soon as possible to investigate.
If you have an older boiler you may have a pilot light that needs to be constantly lit to light the larger boiler burner. However, over time the necessary parts for lighting the pilot switch can become faulty.
If your pilot light keeps turning off, do not try to repair/replace this yourself. This would require taking off the boiler casing, which is illegal unless you are registered with the Gas Safe Register. Instead, first check that your other gas appliances are working correctly. If they are not, the issue might be with the gas supply itself.
If the other gas appliances are working correctly, there may be a faulty part, so call a Gas Safe registered engineer to resolve the problem. Modern boiler models are not built with pilot lights so do not suffer from this issue.
Regular servicing is key to ensuring your boiler operates at peak efficiency year-round. By scheduling an annual service, you not only extend the lifespan of your boiler but also enhance its performance, ensuring it provides consistent, reliable warmth. This maintains your home's comfort whilst optimising energy usage, helping you save on heating costs.
