While we are living in a modern world, and technology is advancing faster than ever before, that isn’t to say that our machines and appliances can’t turn on us every once in a while. If your boiler isn’t producing enough heat, isn’t heating fast enough or isn’t producing heat at all, it is probably time to get it checked out or replaced altogether.
Deciding whether your boiler needs replacing is simple once you know how to troubleshoot a boiler effectively. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the simple ways you can work out whether your home heating system is doing its job.
How To Troubleshoot A Boiler: Top Tips From Bbright
There are a number of reasons why your boiler may not be performing at its optimum rate, and many of these issues can be easily dealt with. However, if the problem is more serious or you need rapid repair, it’s usually best to get in touch with professionals who can assess your boiler for you.
Below are some tips from our experts in terms of the first steps you should take to assess where the issue is with your boiler.
1. Check external parts of your boiler
The most common and easily remedied boiler issues usually involve faulty external parts. Before bringing in a professional, make sure you have thoroughly checked the following:
The thermostat: Make sure your boiler is on, set to heat mode and is also set to above room temperature. It sounds simple, but when learning how to troubleshoot a boiler you have to start somewhere!
Circulator pump: your pump may feel warm to the touch when it is operating correctly. A cool pump might indicate a fuse has blown, whereas a hot pump would suggest the issue is with the motor or a less accessible part of the system.
Circuit panel / fuse box: make sure that fuses are all intact and that nothing has tripped.
Boiler timer: sometimes when you have a power cut, your boiler timer resets to its default settings. This is worth checking every once in a while so that you know when to expect your heating to turn on.
2. Assess your radiators
Make sure your radiator valves have been adjusted correctly. If all your radiators are on, but some are not producing any heat, the issue is likely to do with valves and pipes distributing the heat to different areas of your home. There might be debris lodges in a pipe, breakages or fault valves. These issues will require specialist attention.
3. Assess your Check for unusual noises
If you’re noticing unusual sounds coming from your boiler, this could mean a number of things. It’s completely normal for boilers to make some degree of noise, particularly when they are initially turned on, but excessive whistling or rattling sounds may be cause for concern. Noises like this could suggest one of the following:
Limescale or debris has built up within your heating system and is causing water to get trapped and overheat.
You have a faulty water pump.
There is excessive air within your central heating system (bleeding your radiators may help to release air).
You have low water pressure.
4. Check for leaks
Any leaks coming from your boiler should be addressed as soon as possible. Leaks can indicate faulty relief valves, faulty pumps or a number of other issues, and if left untreated they can cause damage to your home like mold and water damage. Main reasons for boiler leaks include:
High pressure
Pipe or tank corrosion
Faulty pipework installation
If you notice it is specifically the pump that is leaking, this could suggest the pump itself has corroded, and you will need a replacement pump fitted rather than a completely new boiler. Experts will be able to assess this for you.
5. Check your condensate pipe
A condensate pipe is what drains all the excess water that is produced from the condensing process. Sometimes during winter months, ice can form around the pipe and eventually stop it from functioning. This causes condensate to back up into the boiler overtime, and eventually results in the boiler shutting down. If you notice ice build up, try the following before contacting a professional:
Find the location of the ice build up
Thaw the ice by pouring warm water onto the pipe (do not use boiling water as this may crack the pipe) or using a heat pack or hot water bottle.
Reset your boiler
When To Get A Replacement Boiler
While a lot of common boiler issues can be dealt with relatively quickly and without hassle, sometimes a replacement is the only solution. You know how to troubleshoot a boiler, but you should also be aware of when it needs replacing without question. Here are some of the key signs to look out for:
Recurring issues: if you have experienced some, or all of the issues mentioned above, but your boiler is still ticking along after numerous repairs, it may be time to consider a new one. It’s only a matter of time before the next pricey repair is needed.
Your payments are increasing: increasing payments can mean a number of things, but more often than not it’s a sign that your boiler is working inefficiently. Invest in a replacement and your monthly costs will likely thank you for it.
You can’t find specific parts: if you’re finding that your boiler needs new parts, but they are proving difficult to find, this could mean that your boiler is long past its prime. Investing in a replacement will no doubt save you money and time down the line.
Is your boiler performing to the best of its ability? If not, hopefully these troubleshooting tips have helped you locate and fix the problem. You’re not an expert on how to troubleshoot a boiler!
