The Most Common Boiler Issues In Winter
During a particularly bitter winter, the last thing you need is for your boiler to break down, as keeping warm is important not only to keep comfortable but also to keep healthy.
If you have any concerns about your boiler working effectively, it is important not to delay in booking a boiler service, particularly as many boiler issues that are spotted quickly can be efficiently fixed and ensure a stress-free winter period.
According to official statistics, more of us have been spending a greater amount of time at home, and this has meant our boilers at home have been worked harder than usual.
Here are the most common issues that can affect your boiler, and what can be done to fix them.
Frozen Pipes
Winter is not a kind season on our heating systems, but freezing pipes can cause a world of issues.
When water that is in a heating system freezes, it also expands, which can also expand the pipe itself and caused blockages and burst pipes.
Typically, it is important to keep your heating on a low setting at all times, and most smart thermostats will ensure a baseline heat of around 5°C.
If your heating suddenly stops, this can sometimes be caused by the condensation pipe at the back of your boiler freezing over. Pouring warm, but not hot, water over the pipe until it thaws out will fix the problem and keep your boiler ticking over.
Cool Radiators
Radiators can sometimes struggle to heat up and this can be caused by air or sludge gathering in the system.
This can be solved using a radiator key, as well as a few towels to capture the spitting water.
Issues With The Pilot Light
With gas boilers, the pilot light is important to ensure that the boiler keeps running. Once it turns off your boiler has also switched off.
The pilot light going out is a symptom of a problem with your boiler which can sometimes be a serious fault or a build-up with gas. Make sure to contact a registered engineer before switching the boiler back on to ensure it is safe.
Thermostat Issues
The thermostat is one of the most fragile and most vital parts of your boiler system, as most central heating systems will use a thermostat to detect when radiators in your home need heating.
A faulty or broken thermostat will not allow the distribution of heat, meaning your home can remain cold even if your boiler is otherwise working well.
An engineer can quickly notice the problem and replace the thermostat if necessary.
Kettling
If your boiler is starting to make strange sounds, such as whistling, gurgling and banging, which are caused by different issues.
One of the more common issues here is kettling, which is where limescale builds up in the boiler, similar to an old kettle.
Kettling, along with air being in the system and low water pressure may require the help of an engineer to identify and fix.