Boiler Breakdown Guide

Your hot water and heating depend on your boiler, but if it breaks, there are many possible causes. Read our boiler breakdown guide for further help and advice.

L&W Boiler Breakdown Guide

• Electric supply

Check the boiler display, if it is blank then check the power sockets in your home. Also, check your consumer unit to see if a trip switch has failed or a fuse has blown.

• Gas (or oil) supply

If you smell gas contact the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.

If the gas emergency control valve next to your gas meter is on, but no gas is coming out, you’ll also need to contact the Gas Emergency Service Provider on 0800 111 999.

If you live in a flat, you may have a second emergency control valve where the gas enters your property. Make sure it is on.

If the supply has been disconnected for safety, follow the guidance on the warning notice that was left by the engineer.

If you have an oil boiler, check the gauges by the oil tank. Also, check the remote oil level sensor which is plugged into the electric supply and linked wirelessly to the tank. Finally, check there’s some oil left in the tank!

• Pilot light

If the pilot light goes out, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to relight it. These are often on the boiler’s door or front panel. If your boiler doesn’t have a pilot light, press the reset button.

• Central heating pressure

Check the pressure is set according to the manufacturer’s instructions; it usually should be around one bar. If the gauge indicates a lower pressure, it may need topping up with the appliance filling loop which is usually adjacent to the boiler.

If none of these steps solved your problem, it is time to contact a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

L&W Heating and Plumbing

L&W Heating & Plumbing are a trusted, reliable, professional, family-run company with over 30 years’ experience. Call our central heating engineers today for a free quote.

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