Whether your boiler is old or new, chances are, at times you are going to run into a few problems here and there. It can often be tricky to discern the cause of most common boiler problems, but with a few tips, they are easily preventable and solvable. So, let’s go through a few of the typical boiler problems and their causes:

No heat or hot water

This is often caused by airlocks, issues with the thermostat or low water levels. It is worth checking if your thermostat is the issue or the boiler before you start tackling the problem.  

Leaking/dripping

The cause of leaks and dripping often depends on where the water is coming from. It could be a broken internal element or simply the result of your boiler pressure being too high.

Strange noises

Don’t worry, your house isn’t haunted. This is actually one of the most common boiler problems and it is commonly caused by air in the system or when the water pressure is too low. It is worth noting that in older systems, this can be an indication of pump failure. Sometimes, the noises themselves can help you determine the type of problem, whether it is whistling, banging etc. 

Pilot light goes out

A broken pilot light can be caused by a few different things. It could be a damaged thermocouple stopping the gas supply, a deposit build up, or even draught. You can relight the pilot light yourself, following instructions from your manual, however, you should check beforehand that there are no problems with the gas. 

Losing pressure 

Low boiler pressure is a sign that there is a problem with the functioning of your heating system. Checking a boiler’s pressure level is simple, take a look at the pressure gauge and if it is below 1 there may be a problem. This could be due to a leak, as a result of bleeding radiators, or a malfunctioning pressure relief valve. 

 

Hopefully, this blog on the most common boiler problems has been useful.  For more help and advice, take a look at our other blogs. Alternatively, if you’ve got a question, why not get in touch?