Most people only call in a plumber when there’s a problem with their boiler, but most issues can be avoided with annual services. As long as a professional carries out comprehensive checks, they should be able to spot any potential problems and advise the best course of action to improve the longevity of the piece of kit. 

◾ Keep your home and family safe

Faulty boilers carry huge risks for the health and safety of your family. In fact, faulty boilers can, in some extreme cases, result in hospitalisations and carbon monoxide poisoning. By calling out a professional gas safe registered engineer to conduct regular services, you can prevent any leaks and hazards, giving you complete peace of mind that you have kept yourself and your family safe from the potential harm. 

◾ Save money on your bills

By getting your boiler serviced regularly, you can prevent wasting your money and energy. This is because any professional engineer will conduct tests on the efficiency of your boiler, informing you if and when your boiler could be working inefficiently and costing you extra and what you can do about it. 

◾ Identify issues before they worsen

Although small, nagging problems with your boiler may not attract your attention now, they certainly will when they escalate. Identifying any leaks, malfunctions, and risks early can save you money and time by preventing any more extensive, more costly repairs from being needed later down the line. 

◾ Legal obligation on landlords

As many landlords know, they are legally required to have their gas appliances and flues checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer annually.

Knowing when it is time for your boiler to be assessed and checked over by a Gas Safe registered engineer can be challenging, especially if you are no heating and gas expert yourself. However, with that said, there are a few tell-tell signs that it might be time for a boiler service:

1. If you find that your boiler is taking a long time to heat up. Usually, this means that if your boiler is taking longer than it usually does or initially did to warm up.
2. If your boiler is especially old, so it is more likely to run into disrepair.
3. If your bills appear to be larger than expected, or you find that your energy is inefficient. 
4. If you notice that your boiler’s filter is clogged or dirty. 
5. If your boiler has begun to make unusual noises, such as hissing or rattling. 

You will also require a boiler service when your boiler warranty and insurance policy demands it. This means that, depending on the specific requirements of your boiler policy, you need to get the boiler serviced by particular dates. Typically, an annual boiler service will suffice for most insurance policies, but it is worth checking your conditions to be sure. 

So, you know why and when a boiler service is necessary, but what does it entail? A typical boiler service will include the following things:

Firstly, the engineer will conduct a visual inspection of the boiler, assessing it for any signs of damage, wear and tear. The engineer should also check that any safety controls are operating smoothly and that any functionality is perfect. 

They will then assess the flue, which is the pipe that leads from the boiler to the outside of your home. When doing this, they will look to ensure that the route, construction and termination are all functioning properly. 

An engineer will typically also inspect and clean different boiler components as they go to ensure that they are in good working condition and that they are not defective.

Throughout the service, an engineer will usually check the following things: 

• The flame sense device
• The thermostat
• The pilot burner 
• Any cables
• Heating control system 
• Flue condition 
• The way the boiler operates
• Whether the boiler is situated safely 
• Electrical wiring 
• Safety mechanisms 
• Seals 

Once all of these things are complete, the engineer will record the results of each check, which you receive a copy of for future inspections, or to reference in the event that any damage occurs. 

Fortunately, Gas Safe registered engineers are fully qualified, skilled and precise with what they do, so you will feel confident knowing that they have assessed any danger, risks and damage to your boiler. To benefit from the expertise of one of our Gas Safe registered engineers for your next boiler service, get in touch with our friendly team today to book a flexible, affordable appointment.