Safety Checks and Tips

You would be far from the truth if you thought fixing a boiler or heating appliance yourself is as easy as buying a DIY book and brandishing the screwdriver and spanner yourself. The majority of problems with a boiler or gas appliance needs the skills of a Gas Safe Registered Engineer or an engineer with other professional qualifications.

However, there are a few checks that you can carry out which won’t harm or endanger you or anyone else nearby. These tips can fix a simple problem, used to give more information to an engineer about the nature of the problem or be a temporary solution until the professional arrives.

Common Boiler Problems

  • The Thermostat: Be sure to check the age of your thermostat, as over time they can lose their accuracy, misread temprature settings and then turn the heating on/off at times you haven’t set it. Although a gas boiler engineer can clean a thermostat and temporarily fix the problem, investing in a new one when needing is advisable as a fully working thermostat can cut heating bills up to 20%.
  • Radiator Valve: If you have a thermostatic valve, turn up the thermostat. If you have a conventional lock shield valve, remove the plastic cover and adjust the setting. If no change occurs after you’ve adjusted the settings, you have a fault with your radiator valve and will need to call a Gas Safe Registered professional to drain the system and replace it.

  • Programmers and Time Switches: These are mechanical time-clock driven programmers. Check that the clock dial isn’t stuck. If so, the program on/off timing will be wrong. The hot water and heating are controllable via the timed/off/constant switches found on your boiler.

  • Electronic Programmer: Check that the LCD display hasn’t failed. If you already have a standard universal backplate behind a failed electronic programmer, a replacement usually just plugs straight in its place (the same way a plug fits into a socket). These can be found at most DIY stores. If you are in any doubt please consult us first.
  • Noisy Boiler or Heating Pipes: If your boiler or heating pipes are making hissing or banging noises, you should address the problem immediately. Ignore it and you might find yourself needing expensive repairs or even a new boiler. The build up of scale can cause ‘hot spots’, which produce steam bubbles that make a loud bang. The problem can be treated with a chemical descaler, found at most DIY stores.This will involve:
    1. Shutting down the system
    2. Adding the product to the feed and expansion tank
    3. Leaving it to work for a few days
    4. Draining, flushing through and refilling the system
  • Central Heating Pressure: Is the central heating pressure correct? Check that it’s set to the manufacturer’s instructions (generally one bar). If it is, you either have a gas supply problem and will need to contact your gas supplier or a Gas Safe Register professional.

Not what your looking for? Please navigate through the links below to see if these answer your queries. Alternatively, call us on 0208 336 6767 or e-mail us info@robertheath.co.uk.

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