Boiler maintenance tips

Simple and very important boiler maintenance tips

Boiler maintenance is incredibly important, but too often overlooked by UK homeowners. Boilers are not only costly to repair and replace, but when they are not working efficiently they could even be putting your family's health in danger.

Here are our top 10 smart yet simple boiler maintenance tips that will save you both money and future headaches.

1. Get your boiler serviced annually

To keep your boiler working at its best, prevent breakdowns, maximise its lifespan, keep heating bills low and ensure it is protected by the manufacturer's warranty, it needs to be professionally serviced every year. This must be carried out by a Gas Safe engineer who can check all the elements are in safe working order and identify small issues before they turn into inconvenient and costly breakdowns.

2. Check the boiler system pressure

Your boiler must be set at the right pressure to be able to circulate hot water around the radiators and pipes. You can check your boiler pressure by simply checking the pressure gauge to ensure it is in working order and at the level suggested by the manufacturer’s user instructions. This is typically between 1 and 2 bar. If the pressure is incorrect, you can adjust this yourself.

3. Bleed the radiators at least every year

Over time, air can get trapped in your radiators; these small pockets of air can prevent the radiator from heating up fully, which often creates cold patches at the top of the radiator. Bleeding your radiators should release this air, however, you will need to top the pressure up on the boiler once you have done this.

4. Make sure your boiler flame is Blue

If your boiler is a condensing type the following would not be applicable. Your boiler should always burn with a strong blue flame. If the flame in your boiler is either yellow or orange, there could be a risk of carbon monoxide – in this case, you must call a Gas Safe registered engineer immediately. You should have a carbon monoxide alarm, but if you spot that your boiler flame is no longer blue and the alarm hasn’t rung, call an engineer right away.

5. Balance the radiators

If the radiators which are furthest away from the boiler are cooler than those near the boiler you may need to balance them. Balancing radiators is not as straightforward as bleeding them but can help the system to heat more evenly throughout the home.

6. Keep an eye out for dripping from the external pipe

If you notice your system pressure dropping, one of the first places to check is the PRV (Pressure Release) pipe may be dripping. and this will need attention from a Gas Safe engineer.  This can easily be rectified during an annual boiler service via a registered Gas safe installer/engineer.

7. Make sure the boiler is well ventilated

Boilers require plenty of space so that they are well ventilated so be sure to check that the boiler isn't too cluttered, e.g. coats are not hung over it. Boilers can be housed in a cupboard if there is a minimum gap of 700 mm between the boiler and the obstruction or wall.

8. Put lagging on your external pipes

Minimise the likelihood of a boiler breakdown this winter with some lagging. Before temperatures drop, you can pick up some exterior lagging called Type O lagging. This lagging will lessen the chance of the pipes freezing in the colder months of the year. You must ensure the joints are taped together and there are no gaps on the external pipework.

9. Make sure the flue is accessible

Flue regulations now state that flues must be accessible and visible so that cracks or loose joints can be spotted. If your flue is not accessible, e.g. it goes into the ceiling, a Gas Safe engineer will probably need to install an access panel.

10. Never attempt to repair a boiler yourself

The only people LEGALLY allowed to repair your boiler are Gas Safe registered heating engineers. If you think your boiler may need a repair you need to get in touch with a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. Gas pipes and appliances can be very dangerous if not handled correctly which can have lethal consequences including fires, explosions, or carbon monoxide poisoning.