Home Heating and cooling
10 Common boiler problems
A sudden issue with your boiler is never ideal. There are few things more inconveniencing than having to go without the heating and hot water you need for your home.
Below we list some of the most common boiler issues and outline their potential causes. We also highlight some possible fixes, so read on to find out how you can get your combi, heat-only or system boiler back up and running.
• Leaking
• Low boiler pressure
• No heating or hot water
• Frozen condensate pipe
• Radiator faults
• Boiler not responding to thermostat
• Gurgling, banging or whistling noises coming from your boiler
• Pilot light keeps switching off
• Boiler won’t turn on (no power)
• Boiler breakdown
1. Leaking
A boiler leak is usually caused by an issue with an internal component, such as a pressure valve or pump seal. If the leak stems from your pressure relief valve, it is likely that your system’s pressure has become too high. Should the leak be due to a problem with the pump seal, the seal could have worn out.
A leak that has developed around your system’s pipes could be caused by corrosion. There could also be an issue with the way in which your system was installed. We recommend that you consult a trained engineer to help identify and fix this issue. If the leak is caused by a particularly serious fault, your engineer may recommend that you get a new boiler installed.
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2. Low boiler pressure
You can usually identify if your boiler’s pressure is too low by taking a look at its built-in pressure gauge. Ideally, your boiler’s pressure should be set at the 1.5 bar. If it is below 1, your boiler will not be able to function properly.
Low boiler pressure can be caused by issues such as a system leak, recently bled radiators or a failed component or seal. To help identify the issue, you could firstly look for visible signs of a leak, but you should not attempt to remove any casings from the boiler. If you discover a leak, we recommend that you contact a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you do not locate a leak, you could try repressurising your boiler if you feel comfortable doing so. Find out how with our step-by-step guide.
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3. No heating or hot water
Naturally, it can be very frustrating when your boiler ceases to do the very thing it was designed to do – provide your home with heating and hot-water. This issue can be caused by anything from faulty motorised valves, broken system diaphragms and airlocks, to low pressure or a broken thermostat.
To determine whether this issue is caused by low pressure, you should check your pressure gauge to see if it is below 1. If it is, it may need repressurising. If the intermittent heating and hot water is caused by an issue with your thermostat, check the device’s manufacturer guide for a possible solution – if none can be found, we recommend that you contact your manufacturer for help.
If none of these suggestions help, we advise that you get in touch with a trained engineer as issues such as a broken motorised valve or faulty diaphragm will require a professional.
Book a repair
Get a quote for a new boiler
4. Frozen Condensate Pipe
This issue is very common, particularly in the colder seasons. Your system’s condensate pipe is responsible for transporting the condensate from your boiler to your outside drain. During periods of cold weather, the condensate can freeze and cause a blockage to occur. This is particularly common in homes where the condensate pipe is fitted externally or in an unheated space such as a garage. This issue could cause the condensate to revert back up into the boiler and lead to the system breaking down.
Luckily, you should be able to fix this problem quickly and easily by yourself. Take a look at our video guide on how to defrost a condensate pipe.
** Tip alert – Lagging or insulating the pipe can often be a long-term solution for this issue.
5. Radiator faults
Cold patches and other problems are usually caused by a build-up of air or sludge inside of radiators – this can cause heat to be distributed unequally. Cold patches in different areas can indicate different kinds of issues, find out what could be causing your radiator problem on our common reasons why radiators are not working article.
A great deal of radiator issues can be resolved by bleeding the radiator, a simple task that you can undertake by yourself. Follow our guide on how to bleed a radiator for advice.
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6. Boiler not responding to thermostat
Have the clocks gone backwards or forwards recently? If so, you should ensure that the device is in line with the new time. If your boiler is completely failing to respond to your thermostat, the controls may be broken or old. However, there are a few checks that you should do before concluding that it is completely kaput.
For example, try replacing the batteries (obvious, I know, but a very common mistake!). You could also try positioning the device closer to the boiler and check for any interference that could be causing an issue. If the problem with your thermostat persists, take a look at the instructions booklet for advice or contact the manufacturer for help.
7. Gurgling, banging or whistling noises coming from your boiler
It’s normal for your boiler to make some noise whilst it’s in operation, especially when it’s firing up. However, if your boiler suddenly begins to make unusual gurgling, banging or whistling noises, we recommend getting in touch with a qualified engineer.
Unusual boiler noise can be caused by air in the system, a faulty pump, low water pressure or even a build-up of limescale known as “kettling.” Take a look at our article on noisy boilers to find out more.
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8. Pilot light keeps switching off
Older boilers may have a permanent pilot light which needs to stay lit in order to light the larger burner within your boiler. If this light keeps going out there could be a faulty thermocouple that is cutting off the gas supply. Alternatively, there could be a deposit build-up or a draught blowing the light out.
You could try to reignite the pilot light yourself if you are comfortable doing so. Please follow the instructions in your boiler manual. Before you do this, you should ensure that your gas stopcock is on and that there are no issues with your gas supply – you can check other gas appliances to confirm this. We recommend contacting a Gas Safe registered engineer to help solve this issue.
This fault is more common with older boilers, as modern systems are not built with pilot lights and ignite electronically. If the issue with your pilot light persists, it may be worth getting a new boiler installed.
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9. Boiler won’t turn on (no power)
If your boiler won’t turn on, the first thing you should do is check other appliances and power supplies in your home to see if they are working. If they are, check your fuse box to see if any switches have failed or tripped. If you still cannot find the cause, we recommend getting in touch with a trained engineer.
If your boiler is turning on but keeps going off, the pressure could be low or there could be a blockage that is inhibiting the system. Check your system’s pressure gauge and repressurise the boiler if it is set below 1. Alternatively, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Book a repair
Get a quote for a new boiler
10. Boiler breakdown
If left unaddressed, all of the above issues can eventually lead to a complete boiler breakdown. In which case you should contact a Gas Safe registered engineer as soon as possible.
**Tip alert – If you have a regular/heat-only boiler, you may have access to a backup immersion heater that could provide you with hot-water.
Age and inefficiency can also cause boilers to breakdown beyond repair. If you have an old, inefficient boiler, we recommend investing in a new system so that you can get the heating and hot water you need. A new modern and energy-efficient boiler could also help you save on your energy bills*!
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It is crucial to remember that you should only perform checks on your boiler that are simple with minimum risk. Do not attempt to fix the issue yourself as this could be extremely dangerous.
All of our engineers are Gas Safe-registered and fully qualified to diagnose and fix your central heating problems. So, whether you know what the problem is or not, you can book an appointment with one of our local experts to diagnose the issue and get your heating back up and running effectively again
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31 March 2021
17 December 2020
Why Are My Water Pipes So Noisy?
Why are my plumbing pipes making loud banging noises?
Your water pipes deal with a lot of pressure and temperature changes. If the pipes are quiet and working well, they’re out of sight, out of mind. But what happens when they start to sound angry? Water hammer is the most common cause of noisy water pipes. If your water pipes are noisy when the water is running, read on to diagnose the cause and restore the quiet.
First, what noise are you hearing?
The Water Hammer: Hammering or Banging Pipe Noises
Water hammers are one of the most common noisy pipe problems. They occur when the water is turned off and high pressure in the pipes makes the water inside bang against the shut-off valve or pipe walls. The noise is a distinct hammering and usually only occurs after a faucet or appliance is turned off.
Want to learn how to stop water hammer?
Try resetting the water system’s air chambers. Here’s how:
- Close your home’s main shut-off valve.
- Open all your faucets to completely drain the pipes. Don’t forget about your lowest faucets, such as a basement sink or an outdoor hose bib.
- Then turn the water main back on, and the hammer noises should be resolved.
- If the water hammer doesn’t go away after you reset the pressure chambers, check the supply pipes. Some older homes’ pipes aren’t secured well, so they move too much and create waves that lead to water hammers. Apply clips and plumber’s tape wherever necessary to secure the supply pipes.
- Finally, you can always call a plumber to further examine the pipes; you may need to have an in-line water surge arrester installed to correct the water hammer issue.
Whistling Pipe Noises
There are two types of whistling in plumbing systems: whistling in the pipe system and whistling by certain faucets or valves. If just one or two faucets are whistling when they run, the issue is a worn washer, loose brass screw or grimy aerator inside the faucet itself. To fix, you’ll need to turn the water supply off and replace those parts.
A whistling toilet that quiets down after the tank is filled usually needs a new ballcock valve. A toilet that whistles all the time has an issue with the vertical overflow tube; simply bend the float arm down a little so the ballcock turns off sooner.
If the whistling sound seems to come from everywhere, you may have too much mineral build-up, a worn main water supply valve, or an ineffective pressure regulator. Have an expert determine the severity of any of these problems and recommend an effective fix. It will depend on the age of your pipes and the way your supply system is laid out.
Thrumming and Vibrating Pipe Noises
Thrumming or vibrating pipes indicate excessive water pressure. You can test your water pressure at home by purchasing a threaded pressure gauge that screws directly onto a faucet or valve. Make sure your home’s water pressure does not exceed 80 psi. If it’s higher than that, have a plumber install a pressure regulator, as high-water pressure can be destructive to a home.
Other Pipe Noises and Their Causes
Other common pipe noises include a faint squeak or rubbing noise caused by copper pipes that aren’t insulated properly. The metal pipes heat up and expand when hot water runs through them, and they rub against the house’s structural features. Since supply pipes are usually drywalled in, homeowners don’t usually want to tear anything out to pad those pipes. If you have copper pipes and think this may be your issue, you can try turning the water heater temperature down slightly; sometimes a small difference in temperature eliminates the problem so you don’t have to ask a plumber to do any invasive pipe work.
A dripping or ticking noise is cause for concern. It could be a drain issue or leak, both of which are best left to a professional for diagnosis and repair. Or it could be a more minor problem you can fix yourself, such as thermal expansion or a pressure issue. Do some troubleshooting: Reset your air chambers as described earlier in this blog post. If the sound persists, fill your bathroom sink with hot water and then flush the toilet, which will push chilly water into your pipes. Then drain the hot water from the sink, and if you hear the noise, you’re just hearing thermal expansion, which is an annoyance but not a true concern. If neither of these methods takes care of the dripping or ticking noises, get professional help.
Get Professional Plumbing Help
If you need help with any noisy pipe problem and would like a consultation, inspection, or repair, contact your local Bristol Plumber 247. Our certified professionals are ready to assist you with your plumbing issues, and we’re happy to perform routine maintenance so you can avoid future problems and excessive wear on your plumbing system. Best of all, we serve locations all over the country. Request a job estimate online today. Or you can call us any time at 07415 375 875 and a member of our customer care team will schedule your appointment.
If none of the sounds in this blog post seems like the one, you’re hearing, have you considered that the source might not be plumbing-related?
15 December 2020
How to unblock a toilet
Step-by-step guide to unblocking a toilet
How to unblock a toilet – that dreaded phrase you type into a search engine every few months. Sorry you had to find this page. We feel your pain.
It might be the dirtiest, smelliest, and most unglamorous bathroom job ever, but it’s easy to do once you know how.
Follow our step-by-step guide for how to unblock a toilet, bookmark the page and you’ll have all the info you need whenever you find yourself reaching for the plunger.
1. Gather your equipment before going into battle
You will need:
A plunger – ideally ball-shaped
Rubber gloves
Old newspaper to cover the floor around the toilet
Bleach/drain unblocker/caustic soda
An opened window/fan
2. Don’t be tempted to keep trying the flush
If you try it once and it doesn’t flush properly, it’s blocked, and no further flushing is going to help you out. If you know there’s something stuck in your toilet (a child’s toy, a bottle of something that’s fallen in, you know the drill), reach for your gloves and pull it out. Although, if it’s something a bit, well, smellier, then it’s time to flex your plunger muscles.
3. Locate the blockage
Lift the drain cover to see if the chamber is full of water. If so, the blockage is further along the soil pipe. If the chamber is empty, the blockage is in the soil pipe between the loo and the chamber, or in the pan. You can try and clear any blockages in the pipes by using specialist drain rods or makeshift devices, such as a wire clothes hanger. Failing that, a drain company is the answer.
4. Use the plunger firmly against the blockage
Use a plunger that is shaped to seal the opening in the toilet bowl to create the correct vacuum and pressure needed, and to prevent mess. An auger is a flexible rod that reaches far into the toilet controlled by a crank handle. Once the blockage is located, the auger will pull or push the item to remove it. Try the flush again and watch the beautiful sight of a flushed toilet before your very eyes.
Top tip: Run the plunger under hot water before starting work. This softens it up a treat.
5. Use a wire coat hanger
If you don’t have a plunger to hand, grab a wire coat hanger, unwind it so you have one piece of long wire and bend it into a curve. Push the wire up into the toilet and wiggle gently to push the blockage clear. The key word here is gently – you don’t want to scratch your toilet.
6. Dissolve the blockage
If you don’t think the toilet is badly blocked, you can try pouring hot water into the toilet bowl from a bit of a height before using a plunger – this can help dissolve the blockage, pushing it hard through the pipe and is the more environmentally friendly way of unblocking your toilet. If this doesn’t work, you may need to recruit the help of some caustic soda or drain cleaner. Make sure you wear gloves for this step.
7. Clean up the evidence
Hopefully, this has done the trick. Once unblocked and flushable, give your toilet a good scrub and clean using strong bleach, then air your bathroom well.
8. Ongoing issues
If the plunger method doesn’t work, or if you continually have problems with a blocked toilet, there are several decent quality drainage un-blockers on the market – you can find them in supermarket cleaning aisles.
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