Maintaining your boiler can be easy with these simple steps.
From pipe insulation to regular boiler services and learning how to repressurize a boiler, try our top tips for boiler maintenance.
The dreaded boiler breakdown – it’s the last thing any of us needs. Not only can they be expensive to repair, but dealing with cold showers and shivering without heating is no fun for anyone. The good news is that this can be prevented, and we’ve compiled our top five boiler maintenance tips so that you can keep your boiler in tip-top condition, and boiler breakdown at bay:
5 steps to avoid a boiler breakdown
1. Sort your pipe insulation
Prevention is better than cure, so pipe lagging is essential. The best time to fit your pipe insulation is before winter sets in. If you’ve got visions of being on your knees with yards of material, don’t worry. Most DIY shops sell ready-made pipe lagging that slips over your pipes in minutes and cost around £1 a meter. Simple!
2. Switch the boiler off
Two common questions are: ‘Is it ok to turn off the boiler in summer?’ and ‘Do you leave a combi-boiler on all the time?’ Once the weather has warmed up, you can turn your boiler off. If you have a combi-boiler, you simply need to switch it to hot water only. But to prevent problems when winter returns, it’s a good idea to switch your boiler on once a month for 15 minutes during the summer.
3. Keep the pressure up
Boilers don’t run properly when the pressure is too low. The right boiler pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bar. This is easy to check as there is a dial on the front of your boiler. If you need to adjust it, find out how to check the water pressure in this video:
How to check your water pressure
4. Try a power flush
As time goes by, the sludge builds up in your boiler’s system which naturally affects its efficiency. You can have it deep cleaned by a professional with Powerflush. This will clear all the muck and debris from the pipes and radiators so you get maximum heat at a lower cost. It also helps extend the life of your boiler.
5. Service your boiler regularly
Boilers, like people, like to be looked after. Give yours an annual boiler service and in return it might last longer and work more efficiently, saving you money and worry. It’s vital that you always use a Gas Safe Registered Engineer for your boiler service, who will not only check the basic safety of your boiler but will also carry out performance tests and repair anything that needs fixing.
