Our central heating systems play a major role in all our lives, especially during the winter months.
Despite this, very few of us actually know how our systems work, and certainly wouldn’t know how to go about diagnosing or fixing issues with it.
Unless you have a particular keen interest in heating technology, this isn’t exactly a big problem, right up until the moment that something goes wrong.
You just know that your boiler will decide to pack it in in the dead of winter, right when you need it the most, leading to a very frustrating and potentially dangerous spell of shivering for all inhabitants.
Believe it or not, most issues with boilers are reported during the Autumn rather than the winter, mainly because this is the time when people fire up their boilers for the first time after several months of sitting unused.
The first tip that we will give you in this guide is to avoid leaving you r boiler sitting unused for months on end and instead fire it up every now and again during the summer simply to keep the cogs turning and identify issues at a time where warmth isn’t in short supply.
Any major issues such as a leaking boiler should only be tackled by a qualified expertly trained Gas Safe Engineer but there are a few common boiler problems that you might be able to tackle on your own if you know the symptoms.
Problem 1: Cold Radiators
Your radiators are a key component of your central heating system, even if they aren’t the source of the heat itself.
Cold patches on your radiators are a sign that something isn’t quite right and could be the result of a number of different issues depending on the location of the cold spots.
If the top of your radiator is cold, trapped air is probably the issue and you need to bleed your radiator to let it escapes. If the bottom is cold a sludge build up is more likely to be the culprit.
If the entire radiator is cool the issue is likely with your boiler itself and a qualified engineer is required.
Problem 2: Odd Noises
If your boiler starts making alarming noises, particularly banging or hissing, turn it off immediately. If you hear kittling noises alone that persist once the boiler has been turned off, you may be able to fix this by releasing the excess air in the system via the boiler bleed screw.
Problem 3: Old age
If you boiler starts to perform poorly, and it is over 10-15 years old, the only way to resolve the issue may well to be investing in a replacement.
Boiler servicing will maximise a boiler’s lifespan.
Problem 4: No hot water
A pretty obvious problem to find, but not always to fix. If the system is turned on and you have checked all of the obvious issues such as low pressure, trapped air, or a blown fuse, its time to call in the professionals.