Have you been asking: how often should my boiler be serviced? We look at when you should service a new boiler and why regular servicing is important for your heating.
WHEN DOES A NEW BOILER NEED ITS FIRST SERVICE?
Boiler servicing is the last thing you would consider after having a brand new boiler installed in your home. However, like any other piece of essential equipment or machinery that you own, your boiler will require regular servicing and maintenance.
This will ensure that your boiler is working efficiently and as it should and will help you to avoid any potentially dangerous or expensive faults or repairs.
Having your boiler be serviced is not a process you undertake only when something has gone wrong.
Servicing is a necessity that will allow you to spot any serious issues with your boiler and prevent them before they can become catastrophes. Through years of use, your boiler’s efficiency will naturally decline through general wear and tear.
But regular servicing and replacement of worn parts will extend its life and keep it running properly for years to come.
Many new boilers come with 5-year warranties as a standard offer by the manufacturer. There are even providers who offer 10-year warranties for new boilers.
Either of these warranty offers dependent on the fact that you must have your boiler serviced annually. They will only remain valid while your boiler received regular maintenance to keep it in working order.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SERVICE YOUR BOILER?
It is always best to check with your boiler manufacturer exactly how soon you should have a new boiler serviced.
However, as a general rule, most manufacturers recommend that you have your new boiler serviced every year after installation. After this, you should always have your boiler regularly serviced every 12 months.
An annual boiler service will allow you to discover any hidden problems that are no naturally visible, such as leaks. Other issues, such as loud noises or inefficient heating, will be evident to you, but these unnoticeable issues are the most important and will only be discovered through regular services.
It would be best also to have a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home to warn you of any gas leaks. Carbon monoxide is not noticeable without a detector, so these are crucial pieces of equipment that you need when you have a gas boiler in your home.
If you are worried about your boiler’s warranty, for example, if you have missed one of your annual boiler services, it is best to get in touch with the manufacturer. They will be able to tell you if your warranty has been affected or not. If you find yourself forgetting to arrange your annual boiler service, boiler services providers will be able to book their services in advance.
You can even create a standing order to pay for it or spread the costs over the 12 months between services, and the providers will send you an alert or call you when your boiler service is due. By prepaying and prearranging your boiler service, you can ensure that your boiler is well maintained and in full working order.
WHAT DOES A BOILER SERVICE INCLUDE?
BOILER INSPECTION
Inspecting your boiler and all of the pipework connected to it is the first thing Gas Safe registered engineers will do during your annual boiler service. This is where they will check for leaks, broken pipes or joints and corrosion.
The Gas Safe engineer will also remove the case of your boiler and assess the condition of the internal components. This should only ever be done by a trained professional.
They will also check that all of your gas boiler controls and electronic elements are working as they should.
FINAL SAFETY CHECKS
Once all of these checks, repairs and replacements have been made, the engineer servicing your boiler will carry out the final safety checks.
They will restart your boiler and check that nothing abnormal occurs and that it is operating correctly for your peace of mind.
The engineer will also fill out any necessary paperwork regarding your boiler’s service.
Your boiler history must be kept up to date, and the Gas Safe engineer will help with this.
EXPANSION VESSEL AIR PRESSURE CHECK
Expansion vessels are used as a space for excess hot water in your boiler’s system to run.
Sealed boiler systems can suffer from increased pressure as the water is heated, forcing the water to escape into the expansion vessel. The water will remain in this vessel until the system’s pressure returns to a normal level.
Any air in the system could also make this worse, and your Gas Safe engineer will be able to drain this element of the system to keep it running smoothly and save you money.
FLUE AND PRESSURE CHECK
After checking the surface level of your boiler, the Gas Safe registered engineer will move onto the systems that make your boiler run.
Checking the flue is the next step, and the trained engineer will check that it has been installed correctly and that it is free of any obstruction. This is an essential check, as blocked flues are a primary cause of dangerous gasses backing up and entering your home.
The engineer will additionally check the combination of gas and air that is being burned inside your gas boiler.
CLEANING OF ESSENTIAL PARTS
As part of the servicing procedure, the Gas Safe engineer will clean your gas boiler for you. The elements that will require particular attention from the engineer will be:
- Heat exchanger
- Combustion chamber
- Electrodes
- Burner assembly
- Condensate siphon
Again, the engineer will do this cleaning to help your boiler remain in pristine condition.
A general build-up of debris and wear can reduce the efficiency that your boiler heats your home with. Therefore, this cleaning portion of the boiler service is a crucial step.
SMALLER COMPONENT CHECKS
Other components, such as pipes, joints, seals or fans, will also be checked by the engineer during the boiler service.
The electronic elements of your boiler are just as crucial in its operation as anything else, and the engineer will also check these. The most important of these is the pump which forces the water through your central heating system.
The seals are also a crucial component of your boiler system, ensuring that everything within the boiler and its pipes stays there. If any of the seals are faulty or damaged, your Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to replace them.
Other smaller components that could be damaged, such as the ignition or burner door seals, can also be repaired or replaced when needed during a boiler service.
If you are looking for boiler repairs and servicing in the Romford and Essex areas, follow the links below. Find out more about our local heating specialist services.