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How to Take Care of Your Boiler

Whether your boiler is brand new, or you’ve had it for some time, ensuring you make the most of it is of the utmost importance - for both your home and your wallet. It’s easy to forget to look after your boiler, so how can you really make it last?

1. Annual Boiler Servicing

To keep your boiler running as efficiently as possible, arranging a boiler service with your plumber every 12 months should be your first course of action.

This will consist of a range of maintenance services to ensure that everything is running smoothly, and that your boiler is still safe.

Many people underestimate the importance of servicing their boiler, but taking the time to have it fully checked and maintained will mean that you are far less likely to find yourself taking a cold shower because your boiler broke down unexpectedly!

And if there is a problem with your boiler, your engineer will be able to detect this during your service, so any necessary repairs or replacements can be carried out.

The Gas Safe Register has some more information on why it’s important to service your boiler and get a gas safety check every year, so we definitely recommend giving it a read if you want to start looking after your boiler.


2. Regular Cleaning of the Boiler

It’s something you might not think of, but your boiler collects dust just like anything else in your home. This means that regular cleaning to avoid a buildup of dust is important in prolonging the life of your boiler.

Some say that you can clean your boiler yourself but if you are not a professional, cleaning the inside of your boiler can be dangerous. Not only do boilers heat water to around 60 degrees, they’re far from user-friendly inside. You may also risk causing damage to your boiler that could result in a gas leak, so it’s always best to call an expert.

To ensure that your boiler is cleaned safely and properly, a Gas Safe engineer should carry out the cleaning (which is a key part of your annual servicing). However, you can use a soft cloth to dust the outside of your boiler to prevent any additional dust or dirt getting in.

3. Bleeding Your Radiators

While this focuses on your radiators, maintaining your radiators also helps your boiler - if your radiators aren’t running efficiently, this can cause your boiler to work a lot harder.

As long as there are no further problems, bleeding your radiators is a task that you can do quickly and easily - and you won’t need to call a plumber to do it for you. It’s as simple as opening a valve on your radiator and letting out the trapped air that is causing them to not heat up fully.

If you’re not sure how to do this yourself, read our blog on how to bleed in radiators in 5 simple steps.

Radiator

4. Powerflushing

Again, powerflushing is a service that focuses on your radiators, but can greatly benefit your boiler. In fact, one of the signs that you need to powerflush your radiators is that your boiler is increasingly noisy.

Powerflushing is a deep clean of your radiators and central heating system that uses chemicals to flush out all the sludge, rust, and other debris that settles in radiators, pipes and boilers and prevents them from working properly.

Cleaning out the sludge from your central heating system is an effective way to keep your boiler at its best and prevent dirt from corroding or damaging your system.


5. Check Your Boiler Pressure

The pressure of your boiler can be a leading factor in how it performs. Over time, your boiler can lose pressure, which will decrease its efficiency.

How often you need to top up pressure will depend on the boiler you have, but checking the pressure gauge every couple of months will mean that you can keep on top of things.

If the pressure is low (below 1 Bar for most boilers) you can easily top this up by either following the instructions in your manual, or by asking your plumber to help you. If you’re unsure how to test your boiler pressure, take a look at our tips and guidance for different systems and some top tell-tale symptoms.

6. Clear Away Clutter Near the Boiler

Boilers need to be kept well ventilated in order for them to work well, meaning that the space around it should be kept clear.

For example, if your boiler is located inside a cupboard, ensure you don’t fill this area with coats and bags as this can create problems for your boiler. If you are unsure whether the area is adequately ventilated, your plumber will be able to advise you during your annual check.


7. Carbon Monoxide Detectors

A faulty boiler can cause serious danger to you and your family, so it’s vital that you ensure that it’s always working properly.

If there is a problem with your boiler, there is a risk of a carbon monoxide leak so keeping a detector with an alarm next to your boiler, and testing it on a regular basis, is an effective way to ensure that your boiler is safe.


8. Fix Issues Quickly

No matter how old your boiler is, it’s vital that if there are any issues with your boiler, these are promptly addressed.

Whether your boiler requires a small, non-urgent repair to help it run a little more smoothly, or it needs replacing entirely, making sure you hire a fully qualified plumber to carry out work as soon as you can will ensure your central heating system stays safe and efficient.


Maintaining Your Boiler

Looking after your boiler and central heating system is an ongoing responsibility, and it’s important to remember that the smaller, more routine tasks you can do at home (dusting, checking the pressure gauge etc.) are just as important as the tasks your plumber carries out. If you’re due another service, or haven’t had one in a while, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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