Most of us tend to forget about our boilers and simply expect them to work when we need them. It’s not until a problem occurs that we start taking notice. This can turn into a major inconvenience very quickly, especially during the winter.
If you’re having any doubts about your boiler, keep a lookout for the following common problems.
Leaking and Dripping
In most circumstances leaking is due to broken internal components, most commonly the seal or pressure valve. If the leak is occurring around the pipes or tank, then it could be due to corrosion or poor installation. Leaks are best left to the professionals, especially if you have a gas boiler. Tampering could not only make things worse, but could be dangerous.
Banging Noises
Banging is usually caused by kettling. This occurs when there is a buildup of limescale or corrosion debris causing water flow restriction and making hot water to turn into steam. Alternatively, your boiler may simply be old and need to be replaced.
Pilot Lights Goes Out
If your pilot light goes out frequently a broken thermocouple could be stopping the gas flow. Before you try to troubleshoot problems, check other gas appliances in your home to ensure there’s not an issue with your supplier. If everything else works okay, follow your model’s instructions and try re-igniting the flame. External factors unrelated to your boiler, such as a draft, could also be the cause.
Radiators Aren’t Getting Hot
If only the bottom of your radiators are getting hot, you probably need to bleed them. This is a straightforward procedure that you can conduct yourself – visit Boilers Direct to find out how. Alternatively, you may need to adjust the valves in order to boost water flow. If neither of these techniques work there could be sludge buildup causing an obstruction.
Thermostat Isn’t Accurate
An inaccurate thermostat may just be positioned in the wrong place or have the wrong settings. Check the schedule settings to ensure your radiators are turning on and off at the right time, and make sure the thermostat itself hasn’t been knocked out of position. If neither of these fixes work, check for external factors that could be influencing the reading, such as a nearby heat source.
Lost Pressure
To check your boiler’s pressure simply check the pressure gauge. If it is below “one” you may have a problem. This is commonly caused by water leaks and old pressure valves. If you feel confident enough you could try re-pressuring your system. Just make sure you follow the instructions accurately.
Frozen Condensate Pipe
The condensate pipe carries acidic water caused by waste gas away from the boiler. Because this pipe often runs outside into an exterior drain it can be susceptible to freezing. To troubleshoot this problem simply check the pipe. Most boilers will have a warning notification if this happens, along with thawing tutorials in the instruction manual.
While some boiler problems are easy to solve, if you ever have doubts it’s always best to call a professional.