It is important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to maintaining and servicing your boiler at home. Regular service and maintenance is good because it keeps it performing at its best, highly efficient, and working for longer. There are things you can do to make sure your boiler is in a good condition.

Below are some boiler maintenance tips:

Servicing the boiler annually

Your boiler is just like a vehicle, you need to service it annually to keep it running better and for longer. An annual service is also important because it ensures the warranty remains valid. 

During the service, you also need to highlight any issues like leaks, strange noises, or issues when using the boiler. This can help in reducing the damage before the problem worsens and result in your boiler breaking down.

Keeping an eye on the pressure if the boiler has a sealed system setup 

With time, the boiler starts losing pressure. You need to have a routine for checking boiler pressure. Make sure the pressure reads between 1-1.5 bars. If it is lower than 1, then top up the water in the system. Check the manual of the boiler to know how to do that.

Heating system

According to the team we spoke to at Corgihomeplan, most boilers today are tucked in confined spaces. Problems can start coming up when you store other things around your boiler.

Some boilers need vents, when you cover or restrict airflow to them, the unit is starved of oxygen and they will lose their efficiency. It can even result in damage to your unit and be unsafe to use.

Running the Heating System Regularly

Most people use the heating system during the winter months. This means their system is not used during the warmer months. When you leave your boiler unused for a long period, it can seize up or stop working. 

If you want to avoid that, run it once a month for 20-30 minutes.

Regularly inspecting your boiler

Check out the unit and see if there is any obvious damage like rust or cracks, leaking of fluid, or strange noise while in operation. You also need to note down the error codes the unit has previously or is currently displaying. 

There are some units that allow you to visually check the flame. The flame needs to be blue in color. If it is any other color, turn the boiler off and don’t use it until it has been inspected. 

If you come across a problem with your unit, make sure you contact a gas safe registered engineering to check out the boiler and advise you.

Maintaining your radiators

You need to look after your radiator because it prevents the boiler from working harder than it needs to. With time, radiator systems can get air in. You will notice that the radiator is not getting as hot as before or there is a cold patch on top of a warm radiator. You have to bleed your radiators if you want to resolve this issue. 

The system can also have sludge at the bottom of the radiator, which can cause damage to your boiler. Flushing your system is going to solve this issue.

Choosing a Gas Safe Registered Engineer

When your boiler has a problem or needs to be serviced, make sure you have it serviced or repaired by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Some choose to hire the cheapest option to cut down on costs, but this is not a good idea. 

It is going to cost you a lot in the long run. Faults in boilers can cause harmful gases to be released. This is dangerous because the gases cannot be smelt or seen. Make sure your home has carbon monoxide detectors.

Guest Contributor: Arslan Hassan