A faulty boiler can have devastating consequences. Because of this, you should be focusing on routine maintenance as it can save you money and potentially your life.
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A proper functioning and healthy boiler can be much more efficient allowing you to cut your energy bills drastically.
The good news is that boiler maintenance isn’t hard at all. This is especially true if you adhere to these extremely handy boiler maintenance tips.
1. Get Annual Servicing
One of the things you should be doing is servicing your boiler once per year. You want to do this by an engineer that is listed on the Gas Safe Register. No matter how well you think your boiler is working, it should be looked at yearly. An engineer will be able to look at your boiler and thoroughly check its components. They will also clean any areas that need to be cleaned.
You want to try to schedule this type of service before the colder months hit. That way, you will have peace of mind knowing your boiler can handle the strain that occurs throughout the cold period. Search boiler repairs Fort William.
2. Turn Your Heating On
When you are looking to maintain your boiler, you want to be certain that you are turning it on regularly. Any boiler can seize up if it’s not turned on once in a while. Any expert would recommend that you turn it on for 10 to 15 minutes at periods throughout the warmer months to ensure it keeps working.
3. Under Pressure
Your boiler is bound to lose pressure throughout its lifespan. Because of this, it will begin to lose its operational efficiency. By checking the pressure gauge routinely on the boiler itself, you can figure out how healthy it is. You will want to top it off if it’s too low. The manual that came with your boiler will give you the instructions you need or you can ask the professional plumber.
4. Bleed The Radiators
When you have a radiator that is colder towards the bottom than it is at the top, you have air that is being trapped within the system. Because of this, you’ll want to release the air by bleeding out the radiator. Without doing this, you will find that it places excess strain on your boiler. This can harm your system and cost you money.
Always put your heater into the off position when you are bleeding the radiator. You’ll want to rotate the key anticlockwise a quarter way until you start to hear the air escaping. As soon water starts to drip down, that’s when you should be locking the valve as your mission is done.
5. Look For Warning Signs
You’ll want to keep an eye on any leaks or cracks, or even clunky noises. All of these things are going to be warning signs that something is wrong. By keeping your eyes and ears open for these signs, you should be able to detect problems before they worsen. This will allow you to fix them before they cause a major issue. Ensure that all of your vents and airbricks are clear from any debris.
6. Blue Flame
You want the flame in your boiler to be a clear blue hue. If the frame isn’t blue and if it’s another color, there is likely something wrong with it. You should have a plumber on the phone as soon as possible to check it out.
7. Clear Clutter
Your boiler requires proper ventilation. You need to ensure that nothing is surrounding it and keeping it from getting air. You also want to ensure that your boiler is clear of clutter to make it easily accessible.
8. Lag The Pipes
When you have the temperature dropping to under 0 degrees, the pipe can freeze. In this scenario, your boiler will stop functioning as a safety mechanism. You can go ahead and start to melt the ice covering the pipe by pouring water on it. However, the better bet is to prevent it from happening in the first place. The best way to do this is by insulating the pipes themselves.
9. Gas Safety
Any malfunctioning boiler can be dangerous because it can produce carbon monoxide. This is a gas that can be deadly. Carbon monoxide is something that can suffocate you which is why you want to have ample functioning carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. You want to situate one right next to your boiler and check up on it frequently to ensure it’s working properly.