Now that summer is here most of us tend to forget about the boiler. You don’t need the heating on, and you use less hot water; if you have an electric shower then you may hardly use the boiler at all! But this is not the time to forget all about your boiler. In fact, this is the perfect time to look after it so that it does just as good a job next winter. Here is everything you need to know about boilers and servicing and maintenance so that you can rest easy when the cold weather starts to move in again.
Boiler servicing frequency
Typically, boilers require servicing on an annual basis. However, it is important to refer back to your warranty and insurance documents to be sure. Certain warranties or insurance policies require a more frequent servicing schedule in order to remain valid – for example, every six months.
Why is boiler servicing important?
As well as maintain your boiler warranty, there are a number of other reasons why regularly servicing your boiler is important:
- This is key for new boilers as well as older ones. Carbon monoxide leaks can happen, and a service inspection can identify potential issues before they occur. Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas and it can have serious repercussions. If you notice that the flame in your boiler is orange instead of blue, then get in touch with a boiler engineer straightaway for a boiler check.
- Fewer breakdowns. A regular inspection will pick up potential issues before they occur and leave you in the depths of winter with a broken-down boiler and without heating and hot water.
- Lower heating bills. A well-serviced boiler is an efficient boiler. This means that it won’t be overworking to keep up with demand, keeping your energy bills lower.
- Legal compliance. If you are a landlord you have a legal obligation to have gas appliances checked on an annual basis.
What a boiler service includes
A boiler inspection and service need not take a long time. In fact, if there are no issues with it, your engineer will be out within the hour. When they arrive, they will do the following:
- Visual check. This will involve checking for any evidence of corrosion or leaks. They will also check that your flame is strong and blue, not orange which can indicate a problem.
- Internal component check. Next, they will remove the boiler casing and check the internal components, including the heat exchanger, spark probe, burner and the main injector. They will also clean it of any dust and debris.
- Flue check. This will involve making sure that there are no obstructions to the flue terminals and that they are safely and securely fitted.
- Pressure check. Your boiler works at a certain pressure, so they will ensure that it is within the correct parameters.
- Fire up the boiler. This way they can check that it is operating well and that there are no working faults.
If you haven’t scheduled your boiler inspection and servicing for the year yet, then give our Platinum Plumbers engineers a call today. Call us on 020 8855 0361 or email us at to set up an appointment.
