Winter can put a strain on your condensing boiler, and more households are reporting burst pipes and broken-down boilers. Don’t let a heating breakdown leave you in the cold; follow our boiler maintenance tips to avoid costly repairs. After all, even an inexpensive boiler could cost around £1,000 to replace.
Why is boiler service and maintenance important?
Keeping your heating system running smoothly and efficiently requires regular boiler checks. Through regular cleaning and servicing, you can detect and fix issues before they become major problems, helping you avoid costly repairs and prevent other issues from arising.
How do you maintain a boiler?
To ensure your boiler is safe and operating efficiently, it’s important to schedule regular servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can set an annual reminder or consider boiler cover for added peace of mind. Many plans include a free annual checkup, which can help detect issues before they become major problems, especially during winter months.
What to look out for?
When it comes to choosing boiler cover, the quality of service is more important than the price. All work on your boiler should be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
In the UK, only Gas Safe registered engineers are legally authorized to work on boilers, ensuring that the work is done safely and to a high standard. You can check your repair technician’s credentials by asking to see their Gas Safe Register card, which features a yellow triangular symbol.
By choosing a service provider that employs Gas Safe registered engineers, you can rest assured that your boiler will be in good hands, and that any issues will be addressed safely and professionally.
What does boiler maintenance include?
A comprehensive boiler service should include the following checks:
- Visual inspection of the boiler and flame
- Examination of flue (both internal and external parts)
- Verification of operating pressure and input heat
- Inspection of case seals and safety devices
- Removal of case to assess boiler components, such as the heat exchanger, burner, and main injector
- Firing of the boiler to identify potential faults
If needed, boiler parts will be cleaned, which may involve flushing pipes with a specialized cleaning agent. You should also expect to receive a service report detailing all the tests and work that was performed.
By ensuring that these checks are carried out during your boiler service, you can help prevent future breakdowns and extend the life of your boiler.