At this time of year, with the colder weather upon us and Christmas just around the corner, it’s important that your boiler is working efficiently to keep your home warm and toasty no matter what type of boiler you have. After all, a cold house is bad for our health, and our boilers are the heart of your homes - often we don’t appreciate them fully until something goes wrong or they break down, which is just one of the winter emergencies rural homeowners face.
In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some of the most common boiler faults, some of which you may be able to resolve yourself and some which can be a sign of more serious issues. We’ll look at what you can do about them, and when it’s time to call in a professional engineer to carry out repairs.
My boiler won’t fire up
The first thing to do is check you have power to your home. If everything else is working, it’s likely there’s an issue with your boiler. Check the power light to make sure it’s not an electrical problem, and if you use heating oil or LPG, check your tank to ensure you haven’t run out of fuel. Also, in freezing temperatures, check for frozen pipes which might be preventing your fuel from flowing through to the boiler.
Another quick thing to check is your thermostat. If your thermostat has been turned right down, your boiler won’t turn on. Or if your home has already reached the temperature your thermostat is set at, again the boiler won’t switch on.
To fix your boiler lockout, try resetting it – however, if it doesn’t fire up after 2 or 3 attempts, do not attempt to fix the issue yourself. It’s advisable to call a qualified engineer to diagnose and fix any issues.
The pilot light keeps going out
This can be caused by something as simple as a draught near the appliance blowing out the pilot light. The pilot light flame should be blue and steady, but if it is yellow, flickering, or weak, it could indicate problems with insufficient fuel pressure or with the thermocouple.
The thermocouple is a safety device that shuts off the fuel if the pilot light goes out. If it’s dirty, shut off your fuel supply so the boiler can cool down, then clean it by gently rubbing it with fine-grain sandpaper. Relight the pilot light, following the manufacturer’s instructions which can be found in your boiler manual, then check the thermocouple is directly in contact with the pilot flame. If the thermocouple is damaged or worn, your light will go out again, and it may need replacing by a professional engineer.
Other issues such as a faulty regulator, or a dirty pilot tube can cause your pilot light to go out too. If the pilot tube is dirty, debris could obstruct the fuel flow, so clean the tube with a small wire or needle.
If you’re unsure how to relight the pilot light, cleaning the pilot tube doesn’t solve the issue and it repeatedly goes out, or you suspect a faulty gas regulator or other faulty component, it’s time to call in a professional. For a heating oil boiler, an OFTEC registered heating engineer is recommended, and for an LPG boiler, a GAS SAFE registered heating engineer.
No heating or hot water
There can be a variety of reasons why your boiler isn’t producing heating or hot water. One common cause is low boiler pressure. This could be as a result of a leak, recently bled radiators, or a failed component.
Boilers naturally lose pressure over time. Check your boiler’s pressure gauge which should be between 1 and 2 bar. If the needle is below 1 bar, the pressure is too low, and if it’s above 2.75 bar, it’s a sign of high pressure which can often be brought down by bleeding a radiator.
If you have a conventional boiler with a pressure gauge near the hot water cylinder, there will be a valve in the pipework. Open this valve, and the pressure should rise. If you have a combi boiler, switch it off and allow it to cool, check both ends of the filling loop are securely attached, open both valves to allow cold water into the system until the pressure reaches 1 to 1.5 bar then close the valves and switch your boiler back on.
If the pressure keeps dropping, this could be a sign of a leak in the system, and will need fixing otherwise your boiler will continue to lose pressure. It’s time to call out your professional engineer to fix the problem.
Boiler leaking
Often a leak can be just a minor issue due to broken seals or valves, or superficial holes in the pipework. A leak can, however, be a sign of a more serious and potentially dangerous issue that needs immediate attention, such as a leaky or faulty heat exchanger, poorly installed or corroded pipework, or leaks from internal parts. A leak can cause water damage to your home as well as electrical short circuits so you need to act quickly.
Switch your boiler off, and try to locate the leak by checking around your pipes, connections, and the boiler itself. Do not attempt to fix it yourself, but consult your professional heating engineer to investigate and carry out any necessary repairs.
My boiler is making strange noises
Does your boiler gurgle, whistle, hiss or bang?
If your boiler is noisy, it is often a sign that something isn’t working as it should be. It could be due to a build-up of limescale on the heat exchanger, overheating due to low water pressure, trapped air in the system, a faulty part such as a worn-out pump, or blocked pipes or radiators causing uneven water flow.
If your radiators have cold spots, they will need bleeding. Turn your heating off and allow it time to cool. If you’re bleeding multiple radiators, start with the one furthest away from the boiler as this is the one that’s likely to contain the most air. Locate the bleed valve which is usually located on the top of the radiator on one side and looks like a square or hexagonal nut. Pop an old towel and a container underneath to catch any water. Open the valve with a radiator key or a screwdriver by turning anti-clockwise and releasing any trapped air. Once water starts to come out, close the valve again. Then you’re ready to switch your heating back on again and check your radiators are heating up properly.
Repeated clicking sounds when your boiler fires up could be due to ignition issues and humming or vibrating to loose components or pipes, or a faulty fan in a combi boiler.
Whilst it’s not usually a cause for alarm if your boiler is making loud noises, and boilers have safety mechanisms that mean your boiler will turn itself off before it becomes dangerous, we’d always recommend you contact a qualified engineer as soon as possible who will identify the cause and get your boiler working efficiently and safely again, and prevent further damage occurring.
According to the UK Boiler Breakdown Study 2019, most boiler repairs and breakdowns happen in January each year, with December being the next busiest month.
Why you might ask? Well, boilers have to work harder in the winter months, putting more strain on components, plus in freezing temperatures, frozen water in pipes can create a blockage, causing your boiler to stop working.
The reality is that many boiler problems could be prevented with regular maintenance. So it’s better to be proactive rather than reactive, to prep ahead and get winter ready. Having your boiler serviced annually will ensure it runs reliably, efficiently, and safely, protecting your family from the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, as well as identifying problems early before they cause major damage and extend your boiler's lifespan.
Some policies can protect your home from unexpected boiler breakdowns and costly repair bills. At Northern Energy, we offer our Premium Package oil customer and our LPG Package customers a significant discount on Home Emergency Cover in association with coverbaloo (full Terms and Conditions apply). Find out more – just give us a call on 01423 770 666.
Northern Energy Gas Ltd. and Northern Energy Oil are Introducer Appointed Representatives of Cavere Ltd. which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under Financial Services Register number 517325. Northern Energy is appointed for the introduction of Home Emergency Insurance only.