How to Troubleshoot Common Heating Problems

Troubleshooting guide for effectively resolving common heating issues before considering the option of calling us for professional assistance.

Here are the five most common boiler issues we come across:

Low Boiler Pressure

Symptom: Heating takes longer to start or boiler doesn't heat water well.

Cause: Possible causes: system leak, air from radiators, defective relief valve.

Solution:

  • Check pressure gauge; it should be at 1-2 bars.

  • Refill boiler following manufacturer's guide.

  • Check pressure gauge; it should be at 1-2 bars.

  • If pressure drops quickly, call a professional to look for leaks or damaged parts.

Boiler Leaks

Symptom: Boiler surrounded by water or leaking.

Cause: Leaks happen due to problems like worn-out seals, rusted pipes, or a cracked heat exchanger.

Solution:

  • Turn off the water supply and the boiler.

  • Check visible pipes and joints for leaks.

  • Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to repair or replace the affected part

No Heating or Hot Water

Symptom: Boiler running, but no hot water or heating.

Cause: Possible reasons: thermostat problems, insufficient water, airlocks or sludge.

Solution:

  • Check if the thermostat is functioning and set accurately.

  • Monitor the boiler pressure and top up if needed.

  • Purge air from radiators by bleeding them.

  • If the problem persists, we may need to check and replace broken parts like motorised valves or actuators.

Frozen Condensate Pipe

Symptom: The boiler shuts down, often accompanied by a gurgling noise.

Cause: The condensate pipe, which removes acidic water from the boiler, can freeze in cold weather.

Solution:

  • To unfreeze the pipe, use warm water or a hot water bottle, not boiling water.

  • Insulate the pipe to stop it from freezing later.

Noisy Boiler (Kettling)

Symptom: The boiler makes a banging or whistling noise, similar to a kettle.

Cause: Kettling is usually caused by sludge build-up on the heat exchanger, which restricts water flow and causes it to overheat.

Solution:

  • Use a descaling product to remove limescale.

  • Install a water softener or Aquabion to prevent future limescale build-up.

  • If the problem persists, have a professional perform a power flush to clean the system