Common Problems with Boilers
It is the time of year again when boilers are being used regularly to prevent our houses from feeling like the antarctic. The problem is that due to their constant use, issues can arise leaving homeowners in the cold. So, if you are one of the unlucky victims whose boiler has decided to inconveniently stop working, check below to see if it is a relatively common problem that can be fixed without too much hassle.
No heat or hot water – This can occur when the boiler is experiencing a broken diaphragm, airlock, motorized valve, thermostat, or low water levels. Most of these will require a boiler engineer to properly identify the issue if it doesn’t resolve itself.
Leaking or dripping – There are many possibilities relating to what can cause your boiler to leak or drip. To help discover the issue, it is best to locate where the leak or drip is and proceed accordingly. For example, the tape can be a quick fix if your pipes are leaking, until you find a more permanent solution.
Loud and Weird Noises – The reason you might hear these weird noises is often due to the trapped air in your boiler system. When the trapped air mixes with the water in the system, this causes gurgling sounds to emit from the boiler. Although trapped air is not a major problem, this can lead to reduced boiler efficiency meaning your heating costs will be much higher than it needs to be. Bleeding your radiators should do the trick, although if it still persists, contact a boiler engineer to fix it.
Loss of Pressure – A leak in the system is the most likely reason for low pressure and poor heating. Although, it could also be the result of the pressure release valve working inefficiently and requiring you to replace it.
Kettling – Can you constantly hear a weird rumbling sound coming from your boiler? This could be due to kettling. When lots of limescale and dirty sludge start to build up in your boiler, this traps and restricts the water in your boiler. This then causes overheating and excess steam to come out creating this unsettling rumbling sound. The best way to fix this is by a power flush inside the boiler by an experienced engineer.
Lack of radiator heat – Old pipes can cause sludge and other undesirable substances to circulate around your heating system. By doing so it can prevent the flow of hot water around leading to less heat. To resolve this issue, you simply need to buy a chemical cleaning kit or flush the system to fully clean it.
Boiler randomly turns off – Unfortunately, if this is occurring, there are many possibilities that could cause it. It is recommended to get in touch with a heating engineer to determine the problem. Some of the possible faults can include low water pressure, thermostat issues, little water flow, air or the pump not circulating the water correctly, or something else.
If you are in the Southampton area and are suffering from some of these problems above, contact us today and we will be happy to come over and fix your boiler problem.
