5 Essential Ways To Look After Your Boiler

#1. Get Good Cover:

One-off services can be an expensive inconvenience, especially if you need to call an engineer out to deal with leaks or other serious boiler problems. So, the best thing to do is to include boiler cover as part of your home emergency cover plan, or get your boiler covered with a dedicated plan that covers anything that could possibly go wrong. The right cover means that you don’t have to worry about any unexpected costs if you encounter a boiler problem; it will include the cost of calling out an engineer to diagnose and repair the problem, along with any new parts that are needed.

#2. Check the Pilot Light:

The pilot light can tell you a lot about your boiler. If you see a blue light, then your boiler is working correctly and there’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if you notice that the pilot light is yellow or orange, this is usually a sign that the boiler is not burning fuel completely; a problem known as incomplete combustion. This can pose a serious safety hazard to you and your home and could even indicate that your boiler is leaking carbon monoxide. You should call an engineer to diagnose your boiler immediately.

#3. Keep an Eye on the Pressure:

Over time, your boiler and the rest of your home’s heating system will lose some pressure. Your system needs to have the right amount of pressure in order to operate correctly. If it’s too low then your boiler may not fire up or be unable to produce heat or hot water, and on the other hand, pressure that’s too high can cause excess strain on the equipment and pipes. You should regularly check the pressure gauge on your boiler; it should be pointing to between 1 and 1.5. If it goes below 1, you’ll need to repressurise the boiler; you can find out how to do this in the instruction manual or call an engineer to help.

#4. Arrange Annual Services:

Just like an MOT for your car, you should get your boiler and heating system inspected by a professional once a year. You can only go so far when it comes to DIY boiler inspections and maintenance, so it’s well worth investing in cover that includes a yearly inspection and service by a qualified engineer. They will conduct a thorough boiler check to ensure that all components are working correctly, thoroughly clean your system, and make any repairs and replacements when necessary. A qualified, certified engineer will be able to identify any problem areas that may not be noticeable to the untrained eye, along with working on the internal components of your boiler – something that anyone without the knowledge and training should not attempt. If your boiler is still under warranty, an annual service may be required to ensure that it stays valid.

#5. Keep the Area Clean and Clutter-Free:

In order to run safely, your boiler will need to have enough ventilation. If your boiler is stored in your kitchen, utility room or an airing cupboard, it’s important to make sure that the immediate area is clean and free from clutter around both the boiler and the flue pipe. Ensure that the flue pipe is not blocked; as blocking it can hinder the ventilation to the boiler and make it difficult to check that it is in good condition.

In addition, you should give your boiler enough space to ensure that a heating engineer can easily access it in the event of anything going wrong. They will have a much easier time repairing or replacing parts in your boiler if there’s nothing blocking their access. If your boiler is in a colder area of your home such as the utility room, it’s also a good idea to leave enough space for lagging your pipes. This is when insulation is installed by wrapping it around the pipes, which keeps them warm and helps to prevent them from freezing over and bursting or causing other serious issues.

Your boiler is an essential and expensive component of your home’s heating system. So, it’s important to know what to do to keep it in the best condition.