Gas combi boilers are one of the most common ways of heating your home.
They also have the added benefit of providing hot water on demand too.
In the main, gas combination boilers are reliable and don’t often break down.
However, when they go wrong having them repaired can be costly for you.
It therefore makes sense to do what you can to have your boiler serviced.
Knowing what you can do to make basic checks if it breaks down will hopefully make your life more hassle-free.
Gas Combi Boilers - Boiler Servicing
One of the best ways of checking that your boiler is working properly, and picking up on any defects before they start to cause a problem is by having the boiler serviced annually.
This sort of work has to be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
He or she will check the boiler for leaks or signs of damage.
They will also check the gas pressure, test the flue and clean any parts which require it.
Expect to pay between £80 and £100 for a one-off service.
Perhaps better value are the annual boiler cover packages costing between £100 and £150.
These will not only give you both the annual service, but an insurance policy to cover the cost of any repairs which may be required if the boiler breaks down.
Checking the Pressure of Gas Combi Boilers
Most modern combi boilers will have a pressure gauge on the front of the boiler which let you see at a glance whether the water pressure inside the boiler is correct.
If you notice the needle starting to drop, you can top the system up by allowing more water to flow through.
This is usually done by turning taps on the bottom of the boiler.
To be sure check the manual to find out how to do this.
It’s common for pressure to need to be topped up at the beginning of the winter.
However, pressure which seems to need topping up every couple of weeks could mean other problems such as leaks which will need investigating by the professionals.
Other Common Problems
Before attempting to repair your boiler yourself, remember that all work which involves taking the case off the boiler has to be undertaken by a Gas Safe engineer.
Not only is this of paramount importance for health and safety, but it is also a legal requirement.
Do not put your family at risk by trying to do repairs yourself.
One of the more common issues on older style boilers is pilot lights blowing out.
This may be because the boiler is in a draughty area.
It is therefore often best remedied by stopping the draughts coming in.
Also check that there is not a problem with the gas supply from the mains.
A boiler making odd noises such as banging or whistling sounds is often caused by low pressure.
Top up the level and see if that sorts the problem before calling out the engineers.
If you find your boiler to be leaking or dripping, a valve or seal may have broken inside the boiler.
Switch the boiler off and call out the engineers to remove the cover of the boiler and see if they can identify the problem.
