Should there be some odd noises coming from your boiler, don’t worry, these are simply problems that can be fixed quickly and won’t require an engineer call out. If it’s more serious then you may require more expertise.
Boilers have an annoying habit of breaking down, just when you need them something happen and they break down. Then there’s always the night mare of getting an engineer round before you freeze to death, or worse a family row may be sparked.
Here’s what you should do to ensure that you recognise the signs that your boiler is about to breakdown and cost you a packet.
Is your boiler making gurgling kettle sounds
Hearing this when your boiler fires may mean that your radiators will not be heated properly, the noises may be caused by air in the system, a blockage or sediment at the bottom of the boiler may need to be flushed out by a professional.
Frozen condensate pipes may also be to blame, if a frozen pipe is the cause then this may need to be thawed by using hot water bottles and heat wraps, but only if the pipe is accessible at ground level.
What does the ignition lockout mean?
This mostly happens to older boilers but can also happen to new ones as well, boiler manufacturers will install the lockout feature which may cause a shutdown as certain features are not working which affects the safety. Not all shutdown features stem from something seriously wrong, this could just be a simple glitch like a power cut or just low pressure. Normally there’s a reset button on the front of your boiler, your instruction manual will tell you to press this to rest the boiler and stop the lockout.
Why does the heating stop when I turn the hot water on?
If the diverter valve in your boiler is faulty then this may cause the heating to switch off whenever you turn the hot water on.
The issue could cause frustration when the radiator won’t warm up, when actually it could be the heating that’s flipped off by someone taking a hot shower.
Diverter valves are used in combination boilers, this will divert the flow of plasma between the domestic hot water heat exchanger and radiator.
Resolving this issue may require a new part and an installation job, which could be provided by a plumber unless you have the expert knowledge.
