Table of Contents
A boiler going wrong can spell disaster for your home. Excluding Hawaii and Alaska, the average winter temperature in the USA is just 33.2 and can get a lot colder in some states. So if you’ve got no heating and no hot water, you’re going to feel it!
Boiler problems come in all shapes and sizes. In this guide, we’re going to take a look at some of the most common problems and how you (or a plumber) can fix it.
Are you ready to learn more about boiler issues? Then read on and find out more!
1. Kettling
Has your boiler started making sounds like a boiling kettle? If it has, that’s obviously pretty disconcerting. A whistling boiler is a sign that your boiler’s pipes are blocked up with limescale, sludge, and other debris.
Your boiler needs to have its pipes cleaned for kettling to stop or it will get a lot worse. While you could do this yourself, it’s a technical job that might be above your paygrade. We would recommend calling in skilled and experienced plumbers to solve this issue for you.
2. Frozen Pipes
Do you have any hot water coming out of your pipes? If not, was it particularly cold yesterday? Frozen pipes are a common issue during winter and can cause serious issues like burst and broken pipes and they can happen on your boiler too!
The condensate pipe on your boiler takes the condensate to your drain and can freeze. Condensate can then back up into your boiler and damage it.
Defrosting your condensate pipe isn’t too difficult and for a long-term solution, we’d recommend that you invest in better insulation for your pipes.
3. Leaks
If your boiler is leaking, it won’t be able to maintain pressure, which means that you won’t be able to get the heat that you need. A leaky boiler can be a sign of a loose pipe or it could be the sign of a pipe that needs to be totally replaced.
Leaks can also cause serious issues, as the water can get onto the boiler’s electronic components. If your boiler is leaking, call a plumber right away.
4. Pilot Light Gone Out
Has the pilot light on your boiler gone out? This is the small flame in your boiler that your boiler needs to keep everything ticking over. If the pilot light is out, so is your cold water.
You’ll probably need to replace a component called the thermocouple if your pilot light has gone out. This is not something you should attempt yourself, however, as it is a very complex job.
5. Boiler Breakdown
If you’ve gone through countless checklists like this one and your boiler still isn’t working, it’s probably had a complete breakdown. If this has happened, you’ll need to get in touch with a plumber, as your boiler could need replacing.
Boiler Problems Are Common But Difficult
Boiler problems can mean a lack of heat and hot water, which in winter can be dangerous. If you’re having an issue with your boiler and don’t think you can fix it yourself, call a plumber at once.
For more interesting and informative articles like this, check out the rest of our blog.
