Your boiler failing during the winter is a major inconvenience and potentially a serious problem – denying you access to hot water and regular heating in your home. Boilers are infamously temperamental, but there are ways to prevent issues from happening.

In this article we will go over the various ways you can maintain your boiler in preparation for the winter and ensure it remains fully functional.   

Make sure you are getting your annual maintenance service

Regular boiler servicing CHS Glasgow will ensure your boiler lasts longer, operates more efficiently (saving you money on energy bills), and avoids unnecessary breakdowns or faults.

One of the best things you can do is to get your service done during the summer. This is because it’ll avoid the winter months, when you’re using your boiler the most – meaning you can bypass blockages and ensure the engineer is able to check all the components are working at maximum efficiency. If there’s anything broken or worn out – it can be replaced – and during a time when you aren’t reliant on the boiler for warmth.

This means you can avoid having to deal with a broken boiler during the winter – which is a nightmare to say the least.

You should ensure you have a service scheduled each year by a Gas Safe certified engineer to perform the maintenance work.

 

Cleaning

Boiler maintenance is all about regular cleaning and servicing. While you can do many of the simpler tasks yourself, it’ll be important to bring in the services of a professional.

Some basic things you can do include dusting off the boiler and wiping it down. This can help to prevent the gathering of grime which will end up clogging the boiler’s pipework, tubes, as well as its valves.

Always leave any internal cleaning work to a fully trained, gas-safe approved professional.

Regularly make use of your system

This tip is ultimately applicable to all year round but is always important to keep a note of.

You should switch on your heating system on a regular basis – even during the summer. This is because boilers and heating systems can end up clogging because of under-use.

During the months before the winter, it is good to turn the system on for around 20 minutes each day (until the radiators have heated up).

 

Radiators

It’s important to be mindful of your radiator’s functionality. One process to help this is called purging (also known as bleeding).

The good maintenance of radiators is vital to ensure they maintain longevity and remain energy efficient. Failure to do this will not only cost you in terms of repairs for your radiators – but it’ll also end up costing you in terms of energy efficiency and bigger bills.

Air becomes trapped inside radiators over the year and will accumulate. You can purge your radiators by twisting their purging value (using a screwdriver) – you will want to have a receptable to catch any water that ends up coming out. Twist this valve until the radiator emits a whistling sound, before closing the purging value (when the whistling value stops).

Defrosting Pipes

Standing or still water in pipes has the potential to freeze during the Winter. Because frozen water expands, the result can be the pipework bursting – causing serious damage and completely shutting down the boiler.

One option here is to defrost the pipes by pouring tepid water over them. It is important you do not use boiling or hot water – this can seriously damage the pipes.

 

Insulate pipework

It is important that heat retention is maintained. By insulating exposed pipes, you will be able to help maximise the heat retention in your central heating system – helping it to run far more cost efficiently. It will also help to prevent pipes from freezing during cold temperatures. Protective layers can be bought from hardware stores and is easy to fit as well.

Consider replacements

Older boilers are at particular risk during the winter – and often this is when they suffer serious breakdowns and other issues.

Boilers should usually be replaced after ten to fifteen years – as after this point they become increasingly inefficient and unreliable. Repairing older boilers often tends to be quite expensive, and if your boiler is old enough it is often better simply to have it replaced with a new one.

Monitor Pressure Gauges

A system which is operating as intended should display a pressure between 1.0 and 1.5 bar (though if you have a system guide, it should indicate whether the correct pressure differs to this general guide).

Perform regular checks to make sure that the pressure is correct; dips in pressure can indicate a leak – and leaks are a serious problem which will require a professional’s attention as soon as possible.