How to avoid boiler breakdowns

Our boiler breakdown cover plans aim to make boiler breakdowns as stress-free and hassle-free as possible; despite this, you still may want to take steps to minimise the likelihood of your boiler breaking down to begin with.

The following hints and tips are all low-cost and affordable ways to keep your boiler working perfectly, every day of the year.

Arrange Annual Gas Boiler Services

With a boiler breakdown and annual service plan with 247 Home Rescue, we will arrange for a Gas Safe-registered engineer to come to your property once a year – usually just before the winter – so they can check your boiler is working perfectly.

A gas boiler service will ensure that your boiler is in a good working condition and that every component is working as it should, which should significantly reduce the chance of your boiler breaking down in the future.

The engineer may recommend a powerflush or other central heating repair – follow their advice; they’re not professionals for nothing!

Use Pipe Insulation

Pipe insulation – available at almost every DIY and home improvement store – will stop your pipes from seizing up when the thermostat drops below zero.

Your gas boiler’s condensate pipes are at particular risk of freezing during the winter, and when these freeze, a boiler breakdown is almost inevitable. Pipe insulation won’t only protect your boiler – it will also protect your wallet, as it will improve the efficiency of your central heating system. Because this home improvement is so cheap, and because it can save you money, it should pay for itself in a couple of years.

If your pipes freeze up, then a hot water bottle or heat wrap might be enough to unthaw them. We have written guidance about thawing frozen pipes you can look at for more information.

Know Your Boiler

Knowing how your boiler works will give you advanced warning of any faults or problems. The water pressure should typically be at one bar, and should not go higher than two bars. If you notice that the water pressure on your boiler is wrong, read our advice about repressurising your boiler.

Keep hold of your manual, as you can refer to this for simple boiler repairs. If you’ve lost your manual, you might be able to download a copy online from the manufacturer’s website.

You should also know what to do when your pilot light goes yellow or if your pilot light blows out.

Keep Your Central Heating System Working Properly

If all your radiators are warming up except for one, or if you have any other reason to suspect a radiator isn’t working properly, then bleed your radiators to remove any air trapped inside your central heating system.

To ensure that your pipes don’t become clogged up and create a central heating breakdown, run your central heating system occasionally during the summer. We recommend that you should turn on your heating for 15 minutes every month during the summer months, as this will keep the water flowing.

Don’t Be Afraid to Call out The Experts!

When you’re worried that your boiler isn’t working properly, you should call our 24/7 claims line immediately. Waiting until the whole system goes kaput is unnecessary and can actually be dangerous.

Don’t perform any boiler repairs you don’t feel comfortable doing – if you are at all unsure, call out a Gas Safe-registered engineer. If you have to remove the boiler cover to investigate its components, you must have the appropriate registrations and qualifications before you do so or you could actually be breaking the law.

247 Home Rescue accepts no liability for any injuries or damages you sustain following the advice on this website. If in doubt, seek professional assistance.