The temperatures really are starting to plummet and as we drag the winter knits out of the back of the wardrobe once more and whack up the heating, it’s nice to know that the boiler and radiators in our home will provide us with the warmth we need.

Like with any mechanical or electrical device though, long periods of inactivity can be problematic when boilers need to be used regularly again, all of a sudden.

This is why it’s a good idea to put plans in place to ensure the worst doesn’t happen in the form of a boiler breakdown that leads to no heating and hot water.

Try to remember to give the central heating a run every so often throughout the year, even when not in use over the summer months, for example. It will help to ensure your boiler won’t seize up due to a long period of not being used very much.

In addition, good boiler maintenance includes keeping up to date with servicing and making checks on your boiler, to be prepared for any problems. Keep your eyes peeled for any boiler warning signs too, such as:

  • Strange banging or popping noises
  • Black sooty marks
  • Pilot light turning a different colour
  • Pressure gauge on the front of the boiler is too high or low

Investigating these sort of problems should never be put off. There’s no point waiting until the time you need to use your boiler, because it may well be unsafe, stop working all of a sudden, or become more costly to repair as time goes on and the problem becomes worse.

The importance of using a Gas Safe engineer

When something isn’t right with your boiler, it’s always a good idea to call out a Gas Safe registered engineer to fix the issue and give you peace of mind that you and your family are safe from harm.

The Gas Safe register is the official list of gas engineers who are qualified to work legally on gas appliances and it’s vital to never allow someone who isn’t on this register to work on gas appliances in your home.

The best form of forward planning, when it comes to avoiding winter boiler problems, is to ensure that gas appliances are safety checked every year and serviced regularly by an engineer who is Gas Safe registered.

Extra central heating maintenance tips

Another good bit of central heating maintenance is to bleed your radiators regularly – this involves removing the trapped air inside the radiator which can stop it from running at full capacity. A good way to spot if the radiators need bleeding is if they’re making strange gurgling noises, or heating up in patches, with other parts remaining cold.

All you need to do to bleed your radiators is the following:

  • Turn radiators on to full blast for a short while, then switch the central heating off, allowing them to cool completely.
  • Open the bleeder valve at the top corner of the radiator about a quarter of a turn.
  • Have a small container under the valve to catch any water and let the air escape.
  • Once the air is out, you can close the valve (this is when you start to see a steady stream of water rather than a splutter).
  • Repeat on other radiators.

Keep your boiler in excellent working order

If you’re in any doubt, are concerned there is a problem with your boiler, or central heating system and are unsure what to do, we can help.

Whether you need central heating or boiler repairs or replacement, give a member of our team a call for help and advice.

Keep your family safe and warm this winter by making sure that your boiler is ready for the months ahead. Get in touch today.