Home care
It is easy to neglect your boiler over time, but this can result in poor performance and even breakdowns. In order to maximise the lifespan of your boiler and avoid buying a costly replacement, you should take steps to care for your boiler at home.
We have put together our 10 top tips to help you look after your boiler.
It is important to keep your boiler ventilated at all times to avoid any problems. If your boiler cupboard is full of items such as ironing boards, boxes and spare duvets, you should remove these and keep it clean.
Over time, your boiler will gather dust which can cause further ventilation issues. We would not recommend cleaning the inside of your boiler yourself; instead, you should enlist the help of a professional. This should be a part of your annual service.
Ensure that you book in once a year for your annual service. Your service should be conducted by a Gas Safe Engineer, who will perform a routine check and identify any issues.
If your radiators aren’t working properly, your boiler will have to work harder. In order to remove trapped air from the radiator, you should bleed them regularly. British Gas has a helpful guide on how to safely bleed your radiators.
Sludge and dirt can build up in your boiler over time and reduce its lifespan. Limescale can also be one of the main causes of build-up in your boiler. Installing a water softener in your home could help to reduce this build-up. A professional can clean out your boiler with Powerflush. This will help your boiler to run more efficiently and hopefully save you money in the process.
It is important to check your boiler pressure using the dial on the front. The correct pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bar. If you are unsure how to check the pressure, watch this helpful video.
Keep your family safe by installing carbon monoxide detectors. These come in many forms, but the most common is a sticker which is placed next to your boiler. The sticker will change colour if carbon monoxide is present. You can also install an alarm, which will alert you with an alarm if there is a carbon monoxide leak.
Most households switch off their boilers at the first sign of summer, but leaving your boiler switched off for the whole summer could cause you issues when winter comes around. To keep your boiler running smoothly, you should turn on your boiler for 15 minutes once a month.
If you are worried about your energy bill, you should consider lagging your pipes to keep them insulated. This will help you to save money, as less heat will escape through the pipes. Install the pipe lagging during autumn, to ensure that your house is ready for the colder months.
Don’t leave any issues related to your boiler unattended to. You may be able to prevent a broken boiler (and the costly replacement) if you contact a plumber as soon as you notice the issue.
Installing a water softener can help to reduce the limescale in your home and prevent your pipes from becoming clogged. For more information, get in touch with our team today.
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