3 important signs your boiler needs checking
An undetected fault or problem within your boiler can be costly, frustrating, and dangerous. However, the signs that your boiler needs checking might not always be obvious.
So that you know when to call out boiler engineers in London, here are three ways to spot that your boiler could do with being looked at by professionals.
1. Your home doesn’t feel as warm as usual
One sign that your boiler needs checking could be if your home doesn’t feel as warm as usual, even if you haven’t made any changes to your thermostat or the times you have your boiler on. There are a few different ways you might notice that your home doesn’t feel as warm as it normally does. This includes:
- Your boiler isn’t heating up quickly
- Your radiators are taking longer to warm up
- Poor air circulation in the home, such as cold spots
- Poor energy efficiency leading to higher energy bills
Most modern boilers can reach their maximum temperature in a short amount of time, producing heat almost instantly. If that is not the case for you, it could be a signal of a problem with your boiler. It could also mean there is a blockage or dirty water circulating through your heating system.
If you notice that your home isn’t as warm as usual, or is taking longer to warm up, it is important to make sure you have your boiler checked by a professional. If you leave the problem untreated, it can lead to long-term damage, which could result in you requiring a full boiler replacement.
Leaving your boiler working inefficiently can also leave you out of pocket, as you will still be paying for your boiler to operate, but without feeling the maximum benefit of it. As the UK Government estimates the average annual gas bill at £557 or £46.40 per month, you don’t want to cause your energy bills to skyrocket, or pay for something you cannot use.
2. A strange sound or smell
Healthy boilers should never emit any odour, especially not a bad one! If you notice a strange smell coming from your boiler, this might indicate a carbon monoxide gas leak. Although carbon monoxide is naturally odourless, a smell can be produced due to the boiler not being able to burn properly.
You might also spot a carbon monoxide leak if your boiler burns a yellow flame rather than blue, the boiler has dark soot staining, the pilot light frequently goes out, or there is considerable condensation in the windows of the boiler. If you spot any of these signs, then you must have your boiler checked out immediately.
According to the NHS, accidental carbon monoxide poisoning kills 60 people every year in England and Wales, and can cause flu-like symptoms to many more, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, tiredness and confusion, stomach pain, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.
Another thing to be alert for is any strange noise coming from your boiler. Although this might not be as serious as a funny smell, a banging, clunking, whirring, or kettle-like sound could indicate a number of issues with your boiler, and mean it is no longer safe for use. In this case, we would urge you to turn off the boiler immediately and call in an engineer to sort the problem.
3. Obvious signs of damage
Last but not least, another important sign that your boiler needs checking is if there is visible or obvious damage that is beyond general wear and tear. This includes things like your pilot light not functioning correctly, or your boiler leaking.
Visible damage to your boiler might indicate a problem with the internal parts of your boiler, either that they are faulty or that they have started to break down. This could mean that your boiler fails to work the way it should, and so your heating might be inefficient.
For example, lets look at a leak. If you can see puddles around your boiler, this requires immediate action. Leaks can lead to many further problems, such as rust, corrosion, wasted water, higher water bills, and even structural damage to your home.
As the ignition source of the boiler, a pilot light that isn’t properly functioning (in that it doesn’t stay lit or suddenly cuts out) can indicate a serious problem with your boiler, such as carbon monoxide. Even if it might be a problem with the light itself, it is always safer to get this checked out as soon as possible.
And there you have it – three important signs that your boiler requires a thorough check by someone who is well-qualified to complete this task. Now that you know what to look out for, you know when it is essential to immediately call out a boiler engineer, such as one of our own professionals here at HGM Mechanical Ltd.