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Written By: JustBoilers.com Experts | Last Updated: January 2022
Is your boiler on the blink? Are you wondering whether or not it’s time to call in a Gas Safe registered engineer, or whether a DIY job could solve your worries? If so, we’re here to help.
While we cannot overstate the importance of using a Gas Safe registered engineer for boiler breakdown tasks and other boiler-related services, there are some home checks from the boiler service checklist that are completely safe to do yourself.
Take a look at our quick boiler breakdown checklist to see if you can fix the problem without having to call in professionals. But remember, it is illegal to undertake any gas work in tenanted or commercial property if you don’t have the relevant Gas Safe registration, and it’s unsafe to do in your own home. So if our simple fixes don’t work, it’s time to call in the professionals.
The boiler service checklist
Before you call in the experts, it’s always worth checking a few simple fixes to see if the matter can be resolved without having to pay for an engineer. While some boiler breakdown problems will of course need expert attention, there are quite a few errors and faults that are easily fixed with little prior knowledge required.
Take a look at the following nine tips from our team and see whether any of these ideas might solve your issue. If it doesn’t, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll be there to get your boiler back up and running before you know it!
- Check your gas supply – are your other appliances working? Is the emergency control valve open? If none of your appliances are working, then call your gas supplier as it is likely to be a problem at the mains.
- Press your reset button – it might have tripped due to a safety precaution. You should find it on the front of your boiler. But if you don’t, check the manufacturer’s instructions. You should NOT have to remove a panel to locate the reset button.
- Check your power supply – check to see whether one of the fuses hasn’t tripped on your fuse box. Sometimes the obvious is overlooked! This can be fixed with a simple reset.
- Is your boiler pilot light on? Older models with a pilot light might require reignition. Follow your boiler manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s a newer model, then you could try pressing the deblocking button to reignite the burner.
- Heating controls – check the times on your thermostat/programmer. Do your batteries need replacing? Get the manual out and make sure you’ve got them set up correctly. Check your timer. Your thermostat will lose accuracy as it gets older, so it might need replacing.
- Check your boiler pressure – low system pressure in boilers can cause them to run at a lower capacity or cause them to stop working completely. It’s especially common in combi boilers. The pressure gauge should be at 1 bar when your system is cold. If your boiler has a flexible filling top, you can fill up (charge) your system with water yourself. If you’re at all unsure as to how to do this then please call us and we’ll set out one of our Gas Safe Register engineers to service your boiler. We have an instructional video to explain how to repressurise a boiler at the bottom of this article.
- Check your warranty on your boiler – make sure you’ve found your insurance documents and read the fine print. Your boiler might be under warranty. However, you’ll need to file a claim before work commences on your boiler.
- Check whether your condensate pipe is frozen – you’ll have error codes or warning lights from the condensate pipe of the boiler itself. Thawing the pipe really needs to be done by a pro.
- Radiator valves – these might be a problem. Fiddle around with them to see if you can get them warming up. For a standard lockshield valve, you’ll need to remove the plastic cover and use the appropriate tool (can be from a DIY shop) to adjust the setting. A thermostatic valve can just be turned to the desired setting.
If you need any further help or advice on your boiler breakdown, get in touch with our team. Give us a call on 020 7323 2999 and we’ll arrange for one of our Gas Safe Registered engineers to visit your property when it’s convenient.
For further advice, please call us on 0207 32 32 999 and we’ll arrange for one of our Gas Safe Register engineers to visit your property.
Please ensure you check the credentials of any engineer coming into your property. Landlords are required to have an authentic Landlord’s Gas Certificate.