There are few boiler problems more serious than a boiler that has not been installed properly. Gas appliances should only be installed, maintained and repaired by Gas Safe contractors, such as the thousands of contractors 247 Home Rescue has access to, and should not be fitted or tinkered with by unskilled people.
The overwhelming majority of boilers that are not installed properly were fitted by unregistered gas fitters – so-called ‘rogue traders’ or ‘cowboys’. Although it is not impossible, it is incredibly rare for Gas Safe-registered engineers to fit boilers incorrectly.
Contact the Gas Safe Register
Therefore, the first thing you should do is contact the Gas Safe Register. Check that your engineer is listed on the Register, and if they are not, report them online.
If they are registered but are performing inadequately, then you should still make a complaint to the Gas Safe Register, who will investigate your complaint. The Register may send one of its engineers to your property to inspect your boiler. The engineer may condemn your boiler as ‘at risk’ or ‘immediately dangerous’ and may tell you to stop using it until it has been fixed.
Get a boiler repair
You should then get a registered engineer to repair your boiler, install it properly and make it safe. In the meantime, shut off the electric and gas supply to your boiler. Incorrectly-installed boilers can produce carbon monoxide, which can be fatal, and can even explode or catch alight.
If the engineer worked on any other gas appliances, then get a professional to check these too, as they may also be unsafe.
Try to make a claim
You may be able to recover any money you paid to the rogue gas fitter. The engineer may have breached the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 by failing to use “reasonable care and skill” during the boiler installation.
You may also be able to compel the original installer to come to your property again and put their work right at no extra cost – consumer watchdog Which? has produced a sample letter you can fill in in order to do so. However, don’t feel obliged to contact the original installer, and certainly do not contact them if they are not on the Gas Safe Register, as it would be unreasonable for you to trust the installer again, you may also be able to claim back the cost of getting the boiler installed properly by a registered engineer.
Take out boiler breakdown cover with 247 Home Rescue and protect your boiler for just a few pence a day! And if you ever need the help of a Gas Safe engineer, rest assured they will only be a phone call away and will be with you within 24 hours, every day of the year, whatever the weather.
Suffering with boiler trouble?
Don’t attempt to touch any part of your boiler or central heating system if you’re unsure. Did you know? It’s illegal for anyone to use a gas appliance if they think it’s unsafe. It’s always better to be safe than sorry as you could make things worse.
Instead, call us on 0345 3192 247 and we can help. Our technical team will run through some simple troubleshooting to see if your problem can be resolved on the phone or they can book one of our friendly and knowledgeable Gas Safe registered engineers to get you back up and running as soon as possible.
