Heading into winter, one thing you don’t want to compromise on is the efficacy of your boiler heating system. Understanding the way boilers operate is something that few people make time for, despite its fundamental importance to the well-being of your household. With just a basic grasp of the principles of boiler maintenance, you can end up saving yourself a significant amount of time, money, and stress. That’s why our expert team of MFM engineers have today put together a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know when it comes to maintaining your boiler heating system – including what you can easily fix yourself, and what you ought to leave to a trained professional.
Importance of Regular Boiler Check-Ups
This is the first thing we like to stress to home-owners: that you should incorporate regular checks on your boiler heating system into your domestic lives as a matter of habit. By undertaking consistent checks on your boiler, you will minimise energy costs, improve equipment life, and ensure household safety. In order to effectively check up on your system however, you need to know what to look out for. The following are signs that your boiler requires attention, be it a simple home fix or professional servicing:
- Unusual vibrations or noises from the equipment.
- Error codes (these should be reported to a certified technician).
- Debris, dirt, or blockages in the vents and pipes.
- Leaking/standing water in, around, or underneath the boiler.
In addition to the above, you should also ensure that your temperature and pressure readings are in the proper range. These types of small checks are the first port of call before deciding on a course of action.
Now let’s get a little more specific…
Checking the Heat Exchanger
If you’re experiencing a boiler leak, it’s most likely due to an issue with the heat exchanger. During or after operating your boiler, make sure to check it for small spots of water. If you notice small pools of water forming, we highly recommend that you get your heat exchanger replaced. This needs to be undertaken in good time to avoid serious water damage to your system. You should also ensure that your water PH levels are within the correct range.
Checking the Vent Connection
Your chimney and vent connection will deteriorate as time goes on. It’s important to check them to make sure that neither are suffering from a leak. To do this, examine closely where the vent connects to the boiler unit to ensure that it’s securely intact. Look for any holes in the chimney. Doing this will help you anticipate when and where problems might arise with your boiler and therefore arrange the necessary repairs.
Flush Out Your Boiler
During regular operation, rust, dirt, and debris builds up in your boiler system. This reduces the efficiency of your system and can even cause major blockages in the piping. Therefore, every home owner should ensure that their boiler is flushed on a regular basis.
Bleed Your Radiators Once Per Year
Air will gradually start to become trapped in your radiators as you use them. This can prohibit the radiator from fully heating up, leaving your house feeling cold in the winter months. This trapped air can be released however, by bleeding the radiators, which you should consider asking a professional engineer to do for you. At MFM, we recommend doing this annually in order to best safeguard your home.
Make Sure that the Boiler Flame is Blue
Every boiler should burn with a clear blue flame. If you notice that the flame is a different colour, you should immediately contact a qualified engineer to assess the situation as this could indicate a potential gas leak.
Get Your Boiler Professionally Serviced Once Per Year
There are many reasons why you should seek expert assistance. First and foremost: boiler systems are expensive. If you’re not confident with all of the necessary maintenance procedures, calling in a professional makes the most sense. Doing so early will ultimately save you money by preventing small problems from escalating into big ones. While there are little things you can do by yourself, such as the above checks, making sure the boiler is properly ventilated, et cetera, you absolutely should not tamper with the gas appliances themselves. Doing so could lead to fires, explosions, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep an eye on your equipment and call in a registered heating engineer if you spot something you’re not sure about. We recommend that every household, regardless of their situation, should have their boiler professionally inspected once per year.
Boiler Maintenance with MFM
At MFM, we have three decades’ worth of professional experience delivering quality maintenance to a variety of businesses and environments. We pride ourselves on keeping the health and safety of our clients at the heart of our work, with our mechanical and electrical engineers on call 24/7, 365 days a year. Operating across the South West, Wales, and beyond, we provide industry-leading maintenance in heating, air-conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, refrigeration and more, to every building from schools to shops and offices to homes.
For more information on how MFM can help keep your household safe, please don’t hesitate to contact our team today.