Boiler Service Time! 6 Signs Your Boiler Needs Attention
TL;DR — Get your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer for safety, efficiency, and peace of mind. Warning signs include strange noises, leaking water, loss of pressure, cold radiators, funny smells or the pilot light burning yellow instead of blue. If you notice any of these problems with your boiler, call a heating engineer at JDF Maintenance. Otherwise your family could be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and you could pay hundreds of pounds for emergency repairs this winter.
As Gas Safe registered boiler engineers in Huddersfield, we’ve seen it all. Every year without fail we receive call outs for boilers that have sprung the dreaded winter leaks, conked out or started emitting worrying smells or noises.
The worst thing is, the overwhelming majority of these problems could have been avoided by getting your boiler serviced annually. Also, by simply recognising when your boiler needs a service.
Contact a Gas Safe engineer at JDF Maintenance on 07538 359 920 to ask us about problems to spot quickly on boilers and what to do next.
Why do you need to get your boiler serviced?
Cars need MOT’s so your boiler needs servicing. Your yearly boiler service keeps your boiler running safely and efficiently. Failure to service your boiler annually could result in a carbon monoxide leak. Each year around 50 people die from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. The Health and Safety Executive recommends yearly boiler services to prevent CO leaks.
In my time being a boiler service engineer, some of the many benefits of getting your boiler serviced regularly include:
- Reducing the risk of carbon monoxide leaks
- Keeping your boiler running at optimum efficiency (85%+)
- Prolonging the life of your boiler by up to 5 years
- Keeping your manufacturer’s warranty valid
- Avoiding costly emergency call-outs (Upwards of £400!!)
The Gas Safe Register agree, annual boiler service should only be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.
Top 6 signs that your boiler needs servicing
Strange Noises?
When your boiler is functioning correctly it should be fairly silent. If your boiler is making any funny noises your boiler is sending out SOS signals!
- banging noises/hard kettling: Your boiler’s heat exchanger probably has built up limescale from hard water. The layer of limescale causes the water to overheat and form steam bubbles. This makes your boiler less efficient and can also damage expensive parts.
- Whistling from your boiler is usually due to air being trapped in the system. It could also be your boilers fan / pump!
- Gurgling / bubbling. Normally means there is air trapped in your radiators. It could also be that the boiler pressure is too low.
Boiler leaking water?
If you find any water underneath your boiler, call a Gas Safe registered engineer. Common causes of water leaks:
- Corroded pipes/fittings ( common on older boilers )
- Faulty pressure relief valve. (They do let out water when your boiler is over pressured but should not leak constantly)
- Broken seals. (Usually found inside the boiler & will need professional attention)
- Pump seal has failed (Usually caused by build up of sludge)
Even the smallest amount of water can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to your home. If it’s leaking from your boiler it’s time to get it serviced!
Your heating isn’t working correctly?
Cold spots on radiators or your radiators aren’t heating up to full temperature. Not only does this make your boiler less efficient (costing you more money) but is also probably indicating that your boiler needs a service.
Some common issues I find during my boiler service checks are:
- Build up of sludge in the pipes/heat exchanger
- Thermostats reading the wrong temperature
- Poor pump flow
- Faulty diverter valves
The Energy Saving Trust say that allowing your boiler to get dirty can lower your boilers efficiency by up to 30%!
Your boiler keeps losing pressure?
Is your boiler losing pressure? If so, there is a leak somewhere in your heating system. Your boilers pressure should be stable when its not being pushed beyond its limits. You should only need to repressurise your boiler occassionally.
Some of the most common causes of boilers losing pressure are…
- Leaks within the internal pipework. Commonly found within walls.
- Expansion vessel failure
- Pressure relief valve failing.
- Radiator valve dripping.
Leaks can be as little as a tiny pin hole that you haven’t noticed. Book your engineer now before the problem gets worse and save yourself a costly repair.
Funny smells or pilot light is burning yellow?
THIS IS WHEN YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT A GAS SAFE REGISTERED ENGINEER! !
If you notice any of the following smells
Eggy smell/gas smell? Straight to Gas Emergency! You could have a gas leak.
Metallic smell/Burning smell? Over heating electrical components. Get you boiler checked.
If your boiler pilot light is burning yellow instead of blue you should also get this checked. Over at NHS they estimate that 4000 people a year visit A\&E with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
Your boiler is short cycling?
Short cycling is when your boiler turns itself on and off more frequently than it should. This causes your boiler to become less efficient and use more gas. Some of the most common causes of short cycling are…
- Boiler is too big for the property.
- Faulty thermostat.
- Blocked flue.
- Low boiler pressure.
Benefits of yearly boiler service
Better Efficiency = Lower Fuel bills
By getting your boiler serviced annually, you’re ensuring that your boiler is running at its highest efficiency. Some of the boilers I service are still running at 90%+ efficiency because they are serviced annually. A dirty boiler can loose its efficiency by up too 30% meaning your heating bill could sky rocket!
Peace of Mind
If you get your boiler serviced annually you’ll never have to worry about your boiler breaking down. At least not as much anyway. Annual service visits usually cost between £80-120. Throughout my years as a heating engineer I’ve seen emergency call-outs this winter costing up to £600! !
Not only that but if your boiler does happen to break down you have a better chance of finding an engineer with plenty of spare time in the summer months.
Longer Lifespan
Did you know getting your boiler serviced can prolong the life of your boiler by up to 5 years!? New boilers cost between £2000-4000. If getting your boiler serviced every year can keep your boiler alive for an extra 5 years. Doesn’t that seem like good value? !
Keeps your family safe
This is the most important reason to get your boiler serviced annually. Carbon monoxide leaks are SO easily avoided by having your boiler serviced every year. During your yearly service your engineer will be checking for gas leaks, ensuring your flue is working correctly, ensuring all of the boilers safety features are functioning as they should and much more…
When should I ring my local boiler engineer?
If your answered YES to any of the above questions then you should ring your local boiler engineer TODAY. Trust me. I love summering in my garden too and I have still seen to boilers with leaks during the summer months.
Annual boiler services should be booked in the spring/summer when you're not going to get that “can’t be bothered” phone feeling. Your boiler engineer will have more time to give your boiler the once over and will even be cheaper than in winter!
Thanks for reading.
Don’t forget.. stay safe!
JDF Maintenance are boiler service engineers in Huddersfield. Gas Safe Registered with over 15 years experience. Call us today on 07538 359 920 for professional heating maintenance.
FAQ - Boiler Service in Huddersfield
How long does it take to service a boiler?
Usually a boiler service takes between 30-60 minutes depending on your boiler type and age, https://jdfmaintenance.com/.
What is included in a boiler service?
Boiler service involves checking that your boiler is safe to use, testing the flue, checking gas pressure, and cleaning out internal components. Read our post
How do I know if my boiler needs servicing?
Your boiler should be serviced annually by Gas Safe registered engineers such as ourselves (JDF Maintenance).
How much does boiler service cost?
The average cost for boiler service is £80-120, we provide competitive prices within your local area.
How often should you service your boiler at home?
It is recommended that you get your home boiler serviced once every year.