Boilers are an indispensable fixture of almost all modern homes. Boilers heat our water for baths and showers as well as supplying the heat to our central and under floor heating systems. If you are having problems with your boiler it helps to know what could be causing it so you can determine whether it needs repairing or replacing.

The following guide is designed to help you locate and identify problems with your boiler.

Safety First

Before assessing your boiler system it is important to take the necessary precautions. Like any installation that gives off heat, due care and caution is required to reduce the risk of injury.

• Before investigating any components of your boiler make sure that the electricity supply is disconnected from the water heater. Make sure to disconnect gas and electricity sources before draining the boiler as well.
• If there is any volume of standing water on the floor, sprayed on the walls or in close proximity to the boiler there is clearly a problem. Make sure to disconnect the power source from the heating element before investigating further. If you are in any doubt of your technical competency contact a professional.
• One of the key aspects of safety is forward planning. Regular maintenance of your system will dramatically reduce the risk of any damage to your system.

How to Recognise a Problem

To those of us who arent in the know it can be difficult to spot a problem with a boiler system. Many of us will only realize there is a problem when the water for a bath is still running cold twenty minutes later or when we are just about to tackle a mammoth pile of washing up!

Usually we can recognise a problem by its visible symptoms. As mentioned above, there are usually two clear symptoms; a dramatic reduction in the temperature of hot water and puddles or signs of water escaping from the boilers tank.

If you wish to investigate the defect further start off by draining the tank. Make sure the gas, electricity and water supplies are all disconnected. Allow time for the water in the tank to cool before draining it to avoid risk of scalding. Close the incoming water valve and use a length of hose pipe to drain the water into a large vessel or nearby drain.

To test the system, open the drain valve and turn on one of the hot water taps in your home. When the water has finished draining from the tank, turn a cold tap on (whilst leaving the hot one running). Once the water has finished draining from the tank turn the cold water valve on and off repeatedly until the water from the drain runs clear.

Turn off the hot water tap and turn a cold one on. Close the drain valve and refill the boiler. When the boiler is full, turn off the cold tap and test the system. If you are still having problems contact a professional.