Engineer's tips for avoiding boiler breakdowns as temperatures fall

67% of Brits worry about boiler breakdown
-Credit:Jam Press/BOXT Life


Snow and ice blanketed Merseyside this week as temperatures plummeted to -2C. Commuters faced mass disruption as Merseyrail trains were cancelled and delayed, while people living in Wirral will not have their bins emptied until next week due to the hazardous conditions.

As people turn up their central heating to escape the chill, a temperamental boiler could prove to be a homeoowner's worst nightmare. A survey of 2,197 participants aged between 18 and 70, by boiler company BOXT Life, found 67% feared a boiler break-down, while nearly 60% feared the additional expenses winter brings.

Engineer Ryan Gill said: "The best way to avoid a cold, stressful home is to catch the warning signs of a broken boiler early. A handy winter checklist [can] help families quickly spot potential boiler issues before they cause chaos.”

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Here are the engineer's top five things to keep in mind in order to avoid a boiler catastrophe this winter.

Error codes

It’s never a pleasure spotting random words or numbers popping up on your boiler, especially as it’s often unclear what they mean. Don’t ignore them - they could be the first warning sign of a broken boiler.

Fault codes can flash up when your boiler has a problem. If you see a combination of letters and numbers appear, call a Gas Safe registered engineer and they can diagnose and rectify the problem fully.

Loud bangs

While boilers are often noisy, there are certain times when you need to be wary. Often the sounds you hear will be nothing to worry about, but listen for any new, excessively loud or persistent sounds. Kettling, banging, gurgling and clunking sounds can be a sign of a more serious problem.

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Feel the radiators

If your radiators aren’t getting as hot as they usually do, this could mean the end for your boiler. Radiators that aren’t heating up properly could point to trapped air or sludge build-up. If your thermostat isn’t responding or the temperature fluctuates, it can indicate a deeper issue.

Dripping

Keep your eye out for any leaks, drips or moisture. Look for moisture and any other leaks, not just around the boiler, but pipes and radiators. This could be a sign that they are malfunctioning.

Strange smells

If you smell unusual odours from your boiler, it can indicate a gas escape or possibly fumes. You should turn it off immediately and call the Gas Emergency Service line or an engineer. Most importantly, it’s vital to always schedule an annual service and keep on top of maintenance.