Boilers. We can’t live without them, unfortunately! They are the bane of our lives, even if they do work well for the most part.
When they do fail, they fail spectacularly and it’s very common for people to wait until their boiler is on its way out before they decide to get it fixed. If you know what you are looking for, however, boiler repair in the early stages of a breakdown can prevent the need to replace an entire unit, which can be very expensive.
Suddenly having to shell out money to replace a boiler can be avoided by exercising a little due diligence. You should be carrying out regular boiler maintenance as standard, as this prevents problems from arising. If you’re not, though, and you’re worried something may be up, here are three signs that your boiler might be on its way out.
#1: It’s an Old Unit
Boilers haven’t exactly been around for a very long time, but they have come a long way since their inception. Modern boilers are light years ahead of older ones and even though they’re meant to last upwards of ten to twenty years, the older your boiler, the more prone it will be to failure – especially if it isn’t being maintained regularly by a qualified professional.
If you have got an old unit and have been noticing problems recently with your central heating or water temperatures, it might be a sign that it is about to fail, and you should consult a boiler engineer.
#2: Higher Energy Bills
If your energy bills are increasing over time, it might not be because your energy provider is hiking the rates. Older and unmaintained boilers are less energy efficient and this will result in much higher bills than you are used to, especially over time.
In addition to this, if your boiler is requiring constant servicing then this is a significant drain on your finances too and you should consider upgrading to a more modern unit which is energy efficient and technologically up-to-date.
#3: It is Leaking or Discoloured
Boilers which are constantly leaking excess water or require re-pressurising could mean that it is on its way out. A leaking boiler is no joke and it can cause devastating flooding if the leak becomes more severe; this can often happen without warning.
Look out for discoloration too. Can you see any soot building up? Is the flame yellow? This applies more to older boilers, but it’s a serious thing to look out for as it is indicative of carbon monoxide leakage.
Properties with older boilers should always have a working carbon monoxide detector nearby so that any leakage can be detected. It is an odourless, invisible killer which claims thousands of lives per year.
Most homes have a boiler in them. The older your home, however, the more likely your boiler is to be older and less efficient. It is important that you know what to look out for when your boiler needs to be serviced by a professional. A failing boiler is a huge headache and can be a huge financial burden, so getting problems solved earlier is always the best way to go.
