Why you should be checking your boiler before winter arrives

We’re sorry to break it to you, but summer is over.

We know. It can be hard to wave goodbye to the carefree days of August but it’s time to leave it behind and embrace the new season ahead.

After all, autumn and winter have plenty to recommend them. From beautiful golden leaves and fabulous fashion to comfort food and Christmas, you’ll see it’s really not so bad.

And this year, maybe more than ever, we’ll be luxuriating in the comforts of home with cosy nights in front of a good movie and a roaring fire. Plus, with many of us working from home for the foreseeable future, our houses have become our offices as well as the place we spend the majority of our free time.

So it’s really important we prepare our homes for the colder months ahead and make sure our boilers and heating are working efficiently is the first thing on our to do list.

Why is maintaining your boiler so crucial?

It’s simple.

Not only can faulty boilers leave you without heating or hot water but they could even prove fatal if serious problems arise. Plus, maintaining your boiler in early autumn could save you money down the line, as you’ll be able to stop any issues before they become worse.

A well maintained boiler will also be more efficient, which could then save you money on your fuel bills, something which is even more important now we’re at home so much more.

Basically, it’s a no brainer.

Top tips for caring for your boiler

The experts at Local Heroes have let us in on the simple ways you can ensure your boiler is up to scratch and problem areas to look out for. You never know, they might save your life, as well as save you money!

Check the pressure

If your boiler’s been out of action for a while and you’re only just turning it back on, the pressure should be around the 1 – 1.5 bar. If it’s showing less than 0.5 bar, you’ll need to re-pressurise the system. Here’s how.

1. Find the filling loop and pressure gauge. (The filling loop handles should be at a 90° angle to the flow of the pipe)
2. Turn off the boiler
3. Turn both filling loop handles to match the direction of the pipe. (You should hear water flowing)
4. The pressure should turn up. Keep an eye on the gauge and close the handles when you reach the right pressure
5. Turn the boiler back on

If you’re unsure on this process, contact a Local Hero who can help!

Note: Worcester Bosch boilers may follow a different re-pressurising process.

Bleed your radiators

This is a simple and surprisingly satisfying job that will have a huge effect on how warm your home feels. All you’ll need is a radiator key, which should be available at your local hardware shop for under £1.

1. Turn the central heating on
2. Check the radiators to see which ones aren’t heating up
3. Turn the central heating off
4. Put a towel under a radiator that wasn’t heating up
5. Put the key into the radiator valve
6. Turn it anti-clockwise until you hear a hissing sound
7. Watch out for water!
8. Wait for the hissing to stop then turn the key back again

All done? Onto the next one and repeat the process until all your radiators are firing on all cylinders.

Insulate your boiler condensate pipe

The boiler condensate pipe channels excess water from your heating system into your household wastewater.

If you have one on the outside of your home, it may be susceptible to freezing. The same goes if it’s in a cold attic.

So before the temperature really drops, double check it’s well insulated. You can pick up condensate pipe insulation in most hardware stores and installing it is pretty easy. Or you can find a Local Heroes handyman to do it for you!

What to look for if your boiler’s not working…

If you spot any of the following problems, it could be your boiler isn’t working properly, might be ready for an upgrade or might be putting your home in danger. If any of the below apply to your boiler, you might need a professional’s help.

Your radiators are slow to heat up

If your radiators are taking too long to warm up, there could be sludge in your system. Or, if your boiler is quite old, it could be time for a new one. At Local Heroes you can find expert and informative boiler advice.

Your boiler smells bad

If your boiler’s emitting any kind of odour, that’s a bad sign. In the worst case scenario, it could be a carbon monoxide leak and should be addressed immediately by a Gas Safe engineer.

The gas itself is odourless (which makes it even more dangerous) but stops the boiler burning properly which creates the bad smell. If you suspect a gas leak, get help immediately.

Your bills are going up

The older a boiler gets, the less efficient it becomes. So it could be time for an update. When you’re looking at boiler types, find one with a modern condensing system as these tend to be the most efficient.

Puddles are appearing

If your boiler is leaking it could be that internal parts are disintegrating. Or it could be loose piping. Either way get it looked at as soon as possible. With Local Heroes, it’s easy to find a specialist to fix it.

It doesn’t sound right

Whirring, clanging, clicking and clacking are not sounds you want to hear from boilers in general. It could be any number of things, from a broken valve to wear and tear but it’s best to get it looked at as soon as you can, to avoid it getting worse.

These easy tips will ensure your boiler will keep working throughout the winter, heating your home and helping to create a cosy place to live and work.

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