Homeowner’s guide: common boiler faults and problems

Author: Flo Radiu

The process of installing a boiler includes various tasks that require time and attention, from exploring multiple local boiler installer companies along with their quality of workmanship, guarantee and price to disposing of the old boiler properly. Apart from these two important steps, you have to assess the need of new thermostats, pumps and programmers, protect the new boiler with corrosion inhibitor chemicals and make sure that your installer flushes the system to remove debris and sludge. However, you cannot overlook probably the most important step of all, namely inquiring about follow-up care and annual servicing. Such useful pieces of information will give you the certainty that you will enjoy your freshly installed boiler for years to come without worrying about repairs or even replacements. Unfortunately, many homeowners make the terrible mistake of neglecting this crucial task, probably because they are satisfied about successfully completing the boiler installation process and forget about long-terms needs.

Regardless of their lack of attention when it comes to boiler servicing, all homeowners must know the most common boiler faults and issues that they will probably face over time, which include the lack of hot water and heat, loss of pressure, leaking and dripping, weird banging noises and thermostat problems. Thus, when dealing with a boiler emergency, instead of panicking, they act accordingly. Every person out there arrived home after a long and tiring day eagerly heading towards the bathroom for a warm and relaxing bath or shower only to face a cold disappointment, literally and figuratively. Most people just sit down and wait for their boiler to heath the water, but this luxury might take a few minutes or longer, depending on the age and efficiency of the boiler. The main causes leading to such an unpleasant situation refer to low water level, airlocks or motorised valve failure. In such a case, grabbing the phone and contacting a professional company for a close examination, maybe the one who installed the boiler in the first place, might be the best solution.

In what concerns the loss of pressure, you should know that in order to function properly, a boiler needs constant water pressure. Pressure drop might occur for various reasons, from a leak in the boiler system to bleeding radiators. This probably represents the most silent issue of all because if you are dealing with a tiny water leak, you might not even notice it at first. Of course, it will become a nuisance on the long term and you must take action in order to solve the problem. The worst-case scenario that you could face refers to a leaking or dripping boiler that requires urgent repairs or even a replacement. In regards to the latter, you should start considering boiler rental. Under no circumstances, you should attempt repairing the boiler on your own because you do to have the knowledge or experience of tackling a possibly broken valve. In fact, the truth is that, as a homeowner, you do not even have to because you can just call a specialist.

If you are facing a boiler emergency or you are thinking about boiler rental, please click on these links for more information!