5 Most Common Boiler Problems Revealed

  • Added:
    Jul 22, 2014
  • Article Views:
    1533
  • Word Count:
    507
5 Most Common Boiler Problems Revealed Photo by Colin Armstrong

Electric boilers (as well as gas boilers)are integral parts of our homes. We often expect them to work by default. These are often an afterthought until everything goes wrong. Sooner or later, something will go wrong with your boiler. The trick is knowing what the issue is likely to be and what your next course of action is.

To start with, unless you are a professional, you should not attempt to fix a boiler yourself. If you get it wrong, it can add hundreds of pounds onto your repair bill. In extreme cases, it can even be hazardous to your health. If you do not know what you are doing, you could find the boiler blowing your house up.

Let uslook at the five most common boiler problems, and their causes.

1.No Heat : If your central heating system is not producing heat, or there is no hot water coming out of your taps, the chances are this is an issue with your boiler. An electric heating boiler could have a broken airlock, a broken diaphragm, or it could be something to do with the thermostat.

There are so many reasons why your boiler stops producing heat. Your only real option is to call a professional, who will then be able to inspect it.

2.Water Leakage : Water leakage is another major problem. Sometimes it can be just a case of a leaky pipe, or there can be a torrent of water rushing out of your electric heaters. The problem with water leakage is it could be a by-product of practically every boiler problem imaginable.

This is another one of those issues where you will not be able to find the cause without calling a professional to look at it.

3.Strange Noises : Odd noises in a boiler can manifest themselves as anything from a gurgling noise to a banging sound. The most common cause of this is the air; the sucking sound is the air passing through it. Another cause could be low water pressure.

In the case of older systems, it is nearly always an issue with pump failure. These are notorious for breaking down in this way. Check how old your boiler is for further guidance on where the issue is coming from.

4.Where’s the Pilot Light : When the pilot light goes out, you can be sure this is a broken thermocouple. The gas supply has been blocked from reaching the pilot light. A significant draught might also cause it, although this is far rarer.

5.Losing Pressure : Electric heaters that are not working might be caused by a loss of pressure in the boiler. This is usually caused by a water leak, but if you cannot see any water then you’ll need to replace the pressure relief valve. It tends to be a problem with older boilers but, on occasion, you might discover newer boilers doing this as well.

You will need to call a professional to have the new valve fitted. Thankfully, some retailers offer deals where you can have free maintenance within the first few months of owning a new boiler.

Author's Profile

Electric Heating Supplies (EHS) can provide you with troubleshooting information on common electric heating boiler problems. They have helped thousands of customers with various electric heaters over the years.


Please Rate this Article
Poor Excellent