The prospect of your boiler breaking down as the winter nights draw in is the worst feeling in the world. After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is come home to a house so cold you can’t stand it. Contact Gas Safety Certificate UK if your heating system requires immediate attention. Instead of stressing over finding a boiler repair service, read our essential winter guide.
Could my boiler only break down in the winter?
Some people still believe emergency heating repair is only necessary during the winter. Wrong! Boiler breakdowns are more common in the winter due to the cold, but they still occur frequently in the summer.
The first rule is to bleed the radiators
If you need help bleeding your radiators, you can turn to family members, friends, or professional engineers. It is critical to bleed the radiators at home. It’s the first thing you should do to avoid boiler breakdowns. Bleeding is required when air bubbles form inside a radiator. If air is trapped in the radiators, it will take a long time for your home to heat up. If you’ve discovered any cold spots, it’s time to bleed the radiators.
Before bleeding radiators, double-check that nothing else is wrong. For example, if you have radiators in your home, you should inspect their undersides regularly for rust spots and signs of water damage. The appearance of patches can indicate possible central heating system leaks. The power indicator light should be turned on, the boiler pressure should be correct, and no visible signs of a leak should be present.
Another piece of advice: use your boiler even in the summer
To keep your boiler running, you must turn it on regularly, which may seem counterintuitive. Most people try to save money by not turning on their heating systems during the warmer months of the year. If you don’t use your boiler and heating system’s essential components regularly, you’ll need an emergency boiler breakdown service during the winter months. By turning on your system for 10 to 15 minutes every few days, you can avoid having to call for an unexpected heating repair.
3. When was the last time you had your boiler serviced?
Maintaining a regular boiler maintenance schedule is critical for all homeowners. Professional engineers or plumbers should perform annual boiler maintenance. A yearly boiler service will help you detect problems before they become significant and costly to repair.
When a boiler is serviced, the technician will inspect it from top to bottom, inside and out, check the flue terminals, measure the gas pressure, and examine how it is used from start to finish. You must notify the engineer of any boiler-related questions or concerns.
#4 Tip: Inspect the Pipes
Most people underestimate the extent of the damage that subfreezing temperatures can cause to external plumbing. During the winter, temperatures drop below freezing. Water left in pipes, especially overnight, can potentially freeze solid.
There are a few simple things you can try to remedy the situation:
- By properly insulating the pipes, you can keep them warm.
- Maintain constant heating, but turn it down when the outside temperature drops to dangerous levels.
- If the frozen pipe has already burst, pour a container of hot water over it.
Is your boiler more than a decade old?
The boiler’s age is usually the deciding factor in how quickly it will fail. A boiler can last for up to 15 years if properly maintained. Are you worried about your old boiler? Call us if you need a thorough inspection and service. We can meet with you at a time that is convenient for you to discuss boiler financing and your options.
Gas Safety Certificate UK has a brief history
At Gas Safety Certificate UK, a family-run business, emergency heating repair and boiler breakdowns are our bread and butter. Generally, having a reliable supplier on hand in a winter emergency is a good idea at this time of year. Simply put, we are gas safe registered heating engineers based in London. Contact us immediately for all of your gas and heating system repair needs. Please call us at 020 7097 1689 if you have any questions.
