Nothing quite throws a household into panic like when the boiler fails. It always seems to happen at the most inconvenient time, leaving you frustrated and desperate to get things fixed as soon as possible.
While it can be stressful to have no hot water, it’s best to keep a level head and try these simple few checks before calling out an engineer. Some of the simplest solutions can easily be missed when you’re in a panic, and could be fixed yourself in minutes without the delay of waiting for an engineer.
So before you pick up the phone, take a few minutes to check the following. You may save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
Power supply
While checking the power supply may sound obvious, sometimes the most obvious things are forgotten in the heat of the moment. Check the fuse or main circuit breaker, as this may have just tripped and can be fixed with a simple reset.
You should also check that your electricity is still connected by testing other electrical items in the house. If none of them are working then there’s a problem with your electricity supply and you will need to call your supplier.
Gas supply
Check that the emergency control valve is open. If it is not, then it must be re-opened to allow gas to flow. Also check your gas stopcock and open it if necessary.
If it is open but no gas is flowing, then there is a problem with your gas supply and you will need to contact your supplier.
Pilot light
If your boiler is an older model with a pilot light then check if this its lit. If not, you can reignite it by following the manufacturer’s instructions or take a look at our guide on how to light a pilot light.
If your boiler is a newer model without a pilot light, you may want to try pressing the deblocking button to reignite the burner. If the gas pressure is too low, the system cannot be started up again by pressing the deblocking button. Most boilers of this type will reignite automatically once the minimum pressure is restored.
Boiler controls and thermostats
Check all of the settings and controls on your boiler. If you have a timer, check that it is set correctly and that it comes on at the right time. If not, you may have a problem with the timer or power source.
Check that the thermostat is set correctly. Try increasing the temperature setting on the thermostat, as the boiler will only come on when the thermostat temperature is higher than that or the room. Also take into account the age of your thermostat, as they can lose their accuracy over time and may need to be replaced.
Reset button
The numerous safety devices within a boiler can sometimes be tripped, meaning that your boiler will need to be reset. On most boilers, this can be done by pressing the reset button, which is normally on the front of the boiler. Please note that you should not have to remove an access panel to locate the reset button. If you are unsure of where your reset button is, check in your manufacturer’s manual.
Pressure
Low pressure is especially common is combi boilers and can cause your boiler to run at a lower capacity than normal. Check the pressure gauge, which should be at 1 bar when the boiler is cold. If the pressure is lower than this then many boilers won’t restart for safety reasons and the deblocking button will not work to reignite.
You can use the filling loop to top up the system with more water to correct the problem of low pressure. This can be done yourself if you have a flexible filling loop, or you may feel more comfortable having a professional do this for you.
Condensate pipe
In particularly cold weather, your boiler’s condensate pipe may freeze, which leads to a blockage, causing the boiler to shut down. Symptoms of a frozen condensate pipe include error codes or warning lights on your boiler’s display, which will be explained in your manual, or a bubbling or gurgling sound emanating from the condensate pipe or the boiler itself.
If the condensate pipe is frozen then it will need to be thawed, which should ideally be done by a professional.
Radiator valves
It could be that you are experiencing a problem with your radiator valves and not the boiler at all, so try adjusting your radiator valves to see if you can get them to heat up. For a standard lockshield valve, you will need to remove the plastic cover and use the appropriate tool (available at DIY and hardware stores) to adjust the setting, whereas a thermostatic valve can just be turned to the desired setting.
If you aren’t seeing a change in temperature after adjusting the radiator valves, you could have a problem with the valves, which will require a professional to replace it. If none of the above has helped, it could be that something else entirely is with your boiler and you will likely require a Gas Safe engineer to come and take a look.
I’ve checked these and nothing has helped!
If you’ve checked all of the above and your boiler still isn’t up and running then it’s time to call a gas engineer!
VHL are here to help!
VHL are on hand with a same-day response for boiler repairs and breakdowns, with our experienced Gas Safe engineers attending to 125,000 boilers every year. Give us a call or get in touch online for more information.