A boiler is a very important piece of equipment and similar to a car, it can’t run forever without some kind of check and maintenance work to ensure that the appliance is both safe and working to an optimum condition. In this blog post we look at what a boiler check is, and some of the basic steps involved with it.

Why have a boiler check?

We already have alluded to the reason why a boiler should receive a check – but some of the specific reasons for this include:

* Money could be wasted if your boiler is working inefficiently by using extra energy.

* Energy wastage is also bad for the environment and is a needless waste of resources.

* Faulty boilers can create fume hazards – the worst and most dangerous of these being carbon monoxide which is colourless, odourless and tasteless and can kill.

What happens in a boiler check?

Boilers should be serviced regularly and the general accepted frequency for this is one a year (similar to how you have a service and MOT on a car.)

Firstly, ensure your boiler technician is gas safe registered as they need to be competent, comfortable and confident with working with a boiler and knowing its processes.

Why is a boiler check necessary

Above: The flue of a boiler – one key part which is examined during a check.

From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/27128437@N07/2534513754/

Some boiler checks differ slightly but all compose of the same general principles and need to reach industry standards of testing and safety. Some of the main steps carried out in a service include:

1) All aspects of the boiler and their controls are checked to ensure they are working properly and there are no malfunctions.

2) The boiler should be thoroughly inspected for signs of cracks or corrosion which could constitute the risk of leakage.

3) The main cover of the boiler will be taken off so the internal parts can be inspected. This is considered to be one the most important parts of the service.

4) The flue should be inspected to check that it’s in working order and no dangerous fumes are present.

5) The pressure of the boiler will be examined and tested. This is important to make sure your boiler is working to its peak performance

If needed, any of the parts that are deemed not to be in good working order will be cleaned, changed or replaced as appropriate. This is important for both a safety and maintenance aspect.

After the boiler check is complete you should receive a checklist or report that tells you exactly what has been done, the results of any tests and whether any further work is needed.

Our Tip:

Some people are reluctant to undergo boiler checks because of the additional charge and see it as a waste of money. Aswell as being risky and potentially unsafe in the long run, this is not a cost-effective strategy.

Why?

When you have a boiler serviced regularly problems can be identified and stopped much earlier. This means that your boiler is less likely to totally break down resulting in a heavy repair bill or new boiler cost. Bear in mind that spending a little money in the short term can save you lots in the longer term!

While you are on our website, view our testimonials section where you can find out what other people have said about our work and services

 

Share this article

Related Articles

Get in touch with us any time. What can we help you with?