A boiler breakdown is never a nice experience and one which causes a lot of inconvenience to most. When it comes to these events, most will have seen some tell tale signs this was going to happen. Most will know when their boiler doesn’t sound right or takes too long to heat up, these are all signs a breakdown is on its way. At Greener Homes we are specialist boiler engineers. In our latest blog we are going to discuss the 5 signs your boiler is about to break down.
What To Do If Your Boiler Breaks Down
As with all appliances it is likely that at some point it will break down. If this is to happen then do not panic. Contact a heating engineer as soon as possible who will be able to provide some insight on what to do next. One thing to avoid is trying to fix the issue yourself. By doing this you may cause more damage to the boiler which could increase the cost of the repair itself.
What Are The Signs?
There are 5 signs your boiler is about to breakdown in which you need to look out for. Most people know their own boilers very well due to the amount they are used. These signs will give you a clearer understanding of what to look out for. These signs include the following:-
Unpleasant Smells
Not the best thing ever but be on the lookout for unpleasant smells. If you do smell anything, especially Gas then turn your boiler system off straight away then call your heating engineer. Boilers will burn harmful gases in order to generate the heat needed for your home. This therefore does increase the risk of having a gas leak within your home.
A gas leak involving carbon monoxide is very dangerous and it can trigger many things to happen. Carbon monoxide poisoning is also a by-product of this and can be very hazardous to your health. There are many things you can have implemented in your boiler to help detect this, but one of the best ways is to also ensure that you are having an annual service completed.
Strange Noises
Boilers will naturally emit a low background noise when they are used, so it is not uncommon to hear something. However, anything outside of this could signal something is wrong. Noises like a knocking, gurgling or a whistling is when you need a registered heating engineer to enter your home.
Noises can be related to many things. This could be a faulty part which is causing issues across the whole system, or the wrong boiler pressure. Whatever it may be, it is important that you get it checked with a registered heating engineer as soon as possible to ensure that you do not have any further damage occur.
Higher Energy Consumption
During the colder months of the year it is normal for a boiler to exert more energy due to how much it is used. However, a sudden increase in bills especially at a warmer time of the year may signal an issue. At this stage it is advised to call in the expertise of a registered heating engineer who will be able to shed some more light on the situation.
Most boilers after a period of time are less efficient so it is important to make sure that you keep up regular servicing. Most boilers will be less efficient due to use and also any blockages or any replacements that need to occur. This is where a registered heating engineer will be able to help.
Water Leaks
If you notice extra moisture around your boiler or even a more noticeable puddle then you are more than likely looking at a water leak. This is when you should contact a heating engineer straight away to find out what you need to do next. Even if you notice a slight drip, also call a heating engineer. It is not uncommon for these drips to escalate quickly.
Once an engineer comes to your home, to figure out the issue they will isolate the water from the leaking part. In some cases it may just be a loose part which is causing this and will be fixed in no time at all. The other end of the spectrum is that it is a faulty part which is affecting the working of the boiler.
Not Performing Properly
One of the most obvious signs your boiler is going to break down is the lack of performance or your boiler not performing as it should do. This can come in the form of it taking ages to start up, longer than normal to heat up or just not turning on at all when instructed. All of these are easy to notice, and ones which you can pick up on very soon.
The most common reasons for these to occur would be that an internal component has become loose or stopped working and needs to be replaced. Internal workings will include motorised valves, thermostat or airlocks. A circulation issue is also likely and could be a blocked pipe or even loose pipework.
Never attempt to fix these yourselves as you may cause more damage than you think. Always seek the help of a registered professional who will be able to advise on what is the best course of action moving forward.
To Conclude
As we started this article with, we mentioned that most will know if their boiler is not operating correctly or sounding right. Ensuring you keep an eye out for these things may allow you to prevent a boiler breakdown, or put measures in place if this is to happen. The 5 signs your boiler is about to breakdown covers some of the most common in which people have noticed with our time in the industry. At Greener Homes we vastly experienced and offer a range of services to the residential and commercial space. For more information on these services please do Contact Us.