7 Common Boiler Breakdown Issues

Boiler breakdowns are never ideal, having to go without hot water or heating is not what you want, especially if it’s the middle of winter. Often these boiler breakdown issues stem from a few common causes, we have listed these below along with some possible solutions, so that you know when it’s time to call a gas engineer.

 1)  Leaking

A leak is often caused by a problem with an internal component such as the pressure valve or pump seal, if it is the pressure valve then the pressure will become too high, if it is the pump then the seal has probably worn out and caused the leak. Or, if it is a leak that is around your pipes it may be caused by corrosion.  

You should always contact a gas engineer if you have a leak, as if it is serious enough you may even need a new boiler.

 2)  Low pressure

You can usually tell if the pressure is too low by taking a look at the pressure gauge. Ideally the pressure should be about 1.5 bar, if it is below 1 your boiler will not be able to function properly.

Low boiler pressure can be caused by issues such as a system leak, recently bled radiators or a failed component or seal. If you do not find a leak you could try repressuring the boiler if you feel comfortable doing so. 

 3)  No heating or hot water

This is a major breakdown issue that can cause a lot of agro. This issue can be caused by anything from faulty motorised valves, broken system diaphragms and airlocks or broken thermostats. First check your pressure gauge to see if it is caused by low pressure, then check your thermostat. If it is your thermostat check the devices manufacturer guide. If none of these solutions help we recommend getting in touch with a gas engineer.

 4)  Radiator faults

Cold patches and radiator problems are usually caused by a buildup of air or sludge inside of the radiators, this causes heat to be distributed unevenly. Often problems with the radiator can be solved by bleeding them, a solution you can try at home yourself without needing to call a gas engineer.

 5) Boiler not responding to thermostat

If the clocks have recently gone forward or backwards you should check that the device is in line with the new time. You can also try checking the batteries or positioning it nearer to the boiler to see if the issues are caused by interference. Ifcompletely fails to respond then the controls may be broken.

 6) Gurgling or banging noises

It’s normal for your boiler to make some noise whilst it’s in operation, especially when it is firing up. However, if your boiler suddenly begins to make unusual gurgling noises that it hasn’t made before then you should definitely get in touch with a gas engineer.

 7)  The pilot light keeps switching off

Older boilers may have a permanent pilot light which needs to stay lit in order to light the burner within your boiler. If the light keeps going out there could be a problem with the thermocouple, which would cut off the gas supply. We recommend contacting a gas engineer to solve this issue as lighting the pilot is not easy, and the issue causing it to go out also needs to be looked at.