Mighty Mama Bear

Simple Boiler Maintenance Tips Homeowners Should Follow

Look out for warning signals

You should regularly check your boiler for any signs of faults and address them quickly in case the appliance is running unsafely.

The boiler flame should be blue, but if it turns orange or yellow, there could be a carbon monoxide leak. Other signs of this hazard include sooty stains on or around boilers, a strange smell, and the pilot light frequently blowing out. Call a qualified engineer immediately to investigate your boiler if any of these signs emerge. You can also fit a carbon monoxide alarm to alert you to this problem.

If your energy bills suddenly soar, your boiler may be running inefficiently and need replacing. Getting a new boiler fitted before it breaks ensures you aren’t left without hot water and central heating when you need it most.

The ‘find a boiler’ tool on BOXT provides advice on which boiler is right for your home, after asking you a few simple questions. On top of this, the online service can organise the installation process for a no-fuss experience.

Check the boiler pressure

A regular boiler pressure typically sits between 1 and 1.5 bars when the central heating is off and can reach up to 2 bars when the heating is on. You can keep track of the level by checking the pressure gauge, which is usually located inside a panel or underneath the boiler.

The boiler won’t be able to heat the water if the pressure is low, and a high-water pressure can cause heating system failures too.

Check for any damp areas if your boiler is losing pressure and contact a professional if you discover any leaks. If the pressure level is too high, ensure the pressure valves haven’t come loose. Radiators that need bleeding can also cause low or high pressure, so ensure you regularly conduct this task.

If you can’t find the cause, you may need to re-pressurise your boiler, which you can complete yourself. However, boiler pressure issues can sometimes be more severe and challenging to solve. If the pressure level doesn’t return to normal, get it checked by a qualified engineer.

Bleed radiators

If your radiators take a long time to heat up, have cold spots when turned on, or make gurgling noises, air may have become trapped. Your first instinct may be to increase the thermostat temperature to heat your home comfortably, but this can be costly.

Instead, bleed the radiators to release the air from the radiator. This process is achieved by attaching the bleed key to the bleed valve and twisting it anti-clockwise slowly. You should hear a hissing noise which is the air seeping out. When this noise stops and water begins to drip, quickly retighten the valve.

Ensure the heating is off and the radiators are cold before approaching this task and protect your flooring from radiator water with towels.

Once you’ve bled all radiators, check the boiler pressure to ensure you haven’t released too much water, causing low pressure.

Prevent frozen pipes

During winter, pipes can easily freeze, especially when they’re outside, which can cause them to burst and stop your boiler from working. To avoid this and prevent unnecessary heat loss, insulate the pipes with lagging.

Keep the central heating on consistently through winter as well, even when you aren’t at home, as this will stop the pipes plummeting to a cold temperature.

Boiler maintenance tasks can seem daunting but avoiding them often causes more trouble in the long run. You’ll quickly learn how to fulfil these duties when facing them head-on but if you’re still uncertain, contact a qualified professional to assist you.

This is a collaborative post.