We’ve all been there; the heating suddenly stops working and your shower is stone cold. The dreaded reality hits – the boilers broken. Time to call an emergency plumber to take a look, again.
If this is a familiar scenario to you, it’s time to make yourself aware of the warning signs that hint towards a worn-out boiler. That way, you can pre-empt it breaking and get it fixed beforehand.
If you notice any of the following signs, make sure to call a trustworthy boiler repair plumber who can take a look at it for you. Here are the main signs that suggest you need your boiler repaired, or you need a new one altogether.
Your Radiators are Taking Longer to Heat Up
When your radiators start taking a while to heat up, this is a sign that your boiler is deteriorating. A boiler should be able to reach maximum temperature quickly. As soon as it’s switched on, it will produce heat to increase the temperature in your house, so when radiators take a while to warm up, it suggests there is a blockage.
A boiler repair should fix a problem like this, but if that doesn’t then a new boiler may be required.
Strange Smell
A healthy boiler should never emit an unusual smell. If you start to notice a weird smell from your boiler, you need to call a professional as soon as possible. The smell could be a sign that the boiler has burnt out or carbon monoxide is leaking. A gas engineer will need to perform a safety inspection, and they will be able to see what parts need replacing or if you need a new boiler altogether.
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Frequent Breakdowns
If you’re constantly dealing with boiler issues and you’re without heating and hot water regularly, it’s clear that your boiler needs to be replaced instead of repaired. Instead of spending money on call-outs and quick fixes, you should get a new one; it’ll save you money in the long run. That way, you won’t need to worry about whether you’ll come home to hot water or not each day.
Leaks
Boiler leaks can be very damaging to your property or business so as soon as you think you may have a leak, get in touch with a professional. This type of leak can breed mold and cause a lot of issues, businesses may even be forced to close for days when this happens.
A boiler leak is a warning sign and a clear indicator that something isn’t right, so it’s likely you’ll need to get it replaced.
How Old is Your Boiler?
A boiler will usually last between 10 to 15 years, so if you’re having issues with yours and it’s in that age bracket, it might be more cost-effective to replace your boiler altogether instead of mounting up repairs.
Hissing Noise
Have you noticed a strange hissing sound coming from your boiler? If so, this might point to a deposit forming. If you let deposits continue to form, this will only add to the costs to fix the boiler so make sure to get it looked at as soon as you can.
Cold In One Room, Hot in Another
Have you ever noticed one room of your house is boiling hot and another is freezing cold? This means that your boiler isn’t working properly and will need to be repaired.
Higher Energy Bills
If the price of your energy bill has been increasing, it might be a sign of an inefficient boiler. Your boiler may have become overworked, making it less efficient and costing more to run. You can check your boilers ERP energy rating which will tell you how efficient it is. You’ll then know whether you need to get it replaced, or just repaired, and save money on your bills.
A boiler is one of the most important appliances in a home, so you want to look after it. If you’re experiencing consistent boiler problems, speak with a qualified engineer. They’ll be able to find the cause of the problem and give their expert opinion on what will be best for you to do. You may think getting a new boiler is expensive, but it can sometimes work out cheaper to replace it rather than having regular repairs to an old boiler.
