How to Take Care of Your Boiler

Taking Care of Your Boiler

Your boiler plays an essential role in your property, allowing you to warm your home or heat your water at the flick of a switch. If your boiler were to break down, it would cause you major problems at home but there are some simple steps you can take to prolong the life of your boiler and keep it working as it should. Here are some simple steps you can take to help you maintain your boiler good working order.

Regular Servicing
Firstly, it’s important to get your boiler serviced every year. Far from a waste of money, it can help keep your boiler working safely, so you’re not left footing the bill for major repairs in the future. What’s more, if your boiler is working well, it should be saving you money on heating costs as it will be working in the most efficient way to provide heat and hot water for your home. Only use a qualified gas boiler engineer or plumber when having your boiler serviced. For gas boiler, use a Gas Safe registered plumber or engineer and for oil boilers ensure that they’re registered with OFTEC. Be sure to check their credentials for yourself.

The best time to carry out boiler maintenance work is in the autumn, when statistics show that most boilers break down. This is because your boiler has most likely been neglected over the summer months. So save yourself a shock when you come to turn your heating on after a long break – run your heating for a short time regularly during the summer months. Give your boiler a workout by switching it on for 15 minutes once a month even when it’s warm, to keep it running smoothly and prevent dirt from accumulating in the system.

Simple Boiler Maintenance
Ensure that your boiler doesn’t overheat by making sure that there’s nothing obstructing the ventilation grilles or air vents. Check the outside flues and air bricks aren’t blocked and make sure that you never cover your boiler.

Make sure that you clean your boiler regularly but never take off the boiler’s cover yourself, always use a qualified engineer or plumber for repairs. When you have your boiler serviced, the engineer will give it a good cleaning inside too. Dirt and dust can clog up the boiler fan and make it overheat, causing your heating bills to rise as your boiler won’t be working very efficiently. Keep the area around your boiler free from dust by sweeping the area regularly yourself. Give it a wipe down with a damp cloth, drying it off afterwards to stop dirt from getting inside the boiler.

Check your boiler’s pressure gauge and make sure it’s working properly. The water pressure in your boiler should be kept at a constant level for the best results. If you find that the pressure is too high, reduce the pressure by turning the release valve. If your boiler pressure is too low, it could be due to leaks. You should check around you boiler for leaks regularly. The pressure in your boiler should be between 1 and 1.5, so if it isn’t you should contact an expert. If you have any concerns about your boiler’s pressure and you can’t adjust it yourself, contact a qualified plumber immediately.

If the pilot light isn’t on, there may be serious problems with your boiler. This could be due to dust that has worked its way into the system or it could be a more serious problem. You should contact a plumber who will inspect your boiler for you.

Signs of Trouble With Your Boiler
It only takes a few simple checks to keep your boiler working well but sometimes boiler faults can be hard to identify as leaks can often dry out quickly and it can be hard to tell if the pilot light is on, particularly in new boilers. Signs to look out for are knocking noises or water that doesn’t remain hot. If you have any concerns about your boiler, contact a qualified engineer or plumber.

Finally, to be on the safe side if you have a gas boiler, you should always install a carbon monoxide detector so you’ll know if your boiler develops any harmful leaks.

G&A Plumbers can provide boiler care and a range of plumbing services to keep your property in top working order. We are a team of qualified plumbers who provide affordable repairs and maintenance work for homes and businesses.

Call G&A and speak to a qualified plumber today on 0800 626430.