The winter months are the time you need your boiler the most, but these are also the conditions that can put the greatest strain on your boiler and force an emergency callout and repair.
If you notice your hot water and central heating stop functioning, do not panic; emergency boiler engineers on the Gas Safe Register are available whenever you need them to ensure that you are safe, you are warm, and your boiler is returned to normal as soon as possible.
With that in mind, here are some of the first steps you should take to make sure you stay safe, how you may be able to fix your heating system yourself, and how to stay warm whilst waiting for your boiler engineer to arrive to fix the problem.
What Should Be Your First Steps When Your Boiler Breaks Down?
The first actions you should take are to check the radiator next to your boiler unit and the hot water tap in your kitchen. If neither is working, it is a sign that your boiler has possibly failed entirely, but if you have one or not the other, it could be a potentially more minor issue.
As well as this, check the readout screen of your boiler; if it is displaying an error code or message, make a note of it before switching your boiler off. This will help the engineer to diagnose and fix the problem, or could help you to fix a minor issue.
Have a look at the pressure dial as well, as overly low or overly high pressure can lead to a boiler shutting down, but both can often be readily fixed without opening the boiler.
Check other gas and electricity systems, such as ovens and gas ring hobs. If your lights have gone out, try to avoid testing the lights in the same room as your boiler if you suspect there might be a gas leak.
Emergency Signs That You Need To Call An Engineer Immediately
If you notice any of these signs, switch off your boiler immediately and get in touch with us so we can help arrange an emergency callout:
- A yellow pilot light – pilot flames should be blue, and a yellow or orange flame is a sign of a leak.
- Loud banging, knocking or hissing noises.
- A high water pressure that is rising or not easily falling.
- Your carbon monoxide alarm goes off.
- You smell gas.
Are There Any Quick Fixes For Your Boiler?
Sometimes, a boiler fault has an easy solution that can be fixed yourself, and it is worth checking your manual for error codes to see if the situation can be rectified.
For example, low pressure can often be fixed by activating a fill loop underneath your boiler, which will add water to your boiler and restore its pressure.
How Do You Keep Warm Whilst Waiting For Repairs?
- Fill hot water bottles using a kettle.
- Keep the curtains and windows closed to the draught in, and place cushions at the bottom of doors to act as makeshift draught excluders.
- Dress in additional layers.
- Relocate to a neighbour’s, friend’s, family member’s or hotel if you feel unsafe.
