Unexpected boiler breakdowns can be a massive nuisance to the average homeowner. By recognising common faults and diagnosing them in advance, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure your boiler works both efficiently and effectively.
1. Leaking
A leaking boiler is a sure sign that there is a fault in the system and a breakdown is probably imminent. You can notice a leaky boiler by simply checking to see if any water has collected underneath or if any dripping water is evident at all. There are a few potential causes to leakage so it’s best to get it checked out by a professional.
2. Pilot light goes out
If your pilot light goes out, then your boiler will not generate hot water or heating. Older boilers rely heavily on the pilot light so it’s essential to get this issue r diagnosed as soon as possible.
3. Boiler keeps switching off
A boiler that keeps switching itself off can be due to a variety of issues. Your condensate pipe may be frozen if it’s in the colder months, or you may have some issues with your thermostat. If left unchecked, these problems can worsen so it’s best to get the system checked out rather than turning the boiler back on each time.
4. Strange noises
Weird noises from the boiler such as banging noises, whistling or gurgling is a sign your boiler may be “kettling”. This is a build-up of limescale in the system which can make the boiler overheat, product steam and then produce some odd sounds. In older systems, this could also be a sign of imminent pump failure.
If you have experienced any of these issues with your own boiler, you may want to get it serviced to avoid a breakdown entirely. At DHS, we often carry out boiler repairs in Bristol and know both the causes and the solutions.
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