How safe is my boiler?

We often don’t think twice about our boilers or our heating, however, having a faulty boiler can have a number of subsequent effects on the situation in your home. There’s a reason you’re supposed to get a Boiler Service Peterborough every 12 months — A broken boiler will leave you without hot water, and a faulty boiler could be emitting carbon monoxide, which is incredibly dangerous.

1 in 10 people suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning in their lifetime.

Here, we have collected all the important information you need, so you know the signs of a faulty boiler, and what to do if you suspect that your boiler is unsafe.

What are the signs of a faulty boiler?

You need to keep turning on the boiler, resetting it or needing to have it repaired often.
The pilot light keeps turning itself off.
Loss of pressure will leave you without heating or hot water.
There is a strange smell coming from your boiler. This could be carbon monoxide. Is important to get a gas safety check in your home as soon as possible.
There are dark marks, spillages or scorching on or around your boiler.
There are rattling or strange noises coming from your boiler.
Your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding. This is an emergency, and it needs changing as soon as possible. Read more about what to do in a carbon monoxide emergency.

There are also physical symptoms to look out for. The following could be signs of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Dizziness and headaches
Nausea
Difficulty breathing
Unconsciousness
Confusion
Blurred vision

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, vacate the house if possible and seek urgent medical help.

What about electric boilers?

An electric boiler does not run on gas, so there is no danger of getting carbon monoxide poisoning from any gas leaks. They are definitely a safer option and many new builds will have electric boilers to ensure the safety of their residents. However, if you are moving into an older building and you are worried that the boiler has been installed by someone unqualified, you can always arrange an EICR Test to check for faulty wiring. There is a chance a previous owner tried to fit it themselves which can be very dangerous. If you’re looking at getting an electric boiler, you’ll need to get in touch with an electrical service that could help you get set up. try it out here.

The risk with electric boilers is that they have to be properly wired by a trained and professional electrician. Do not try to wire an electric boiler on your own. Seek the help of a qualified electrician.

When to call a plumber:

If you think that your boiler is faulty, then you need to call a plumber.

Hiring a gas safe engineer to inspect your boiler will ensure that any leakages, faults or risks are solved quickly and efficiently. You should book a boiler check every year so that your boiler can be monitored.

If you smell gas, open all windows and turn off the gas supply before calling a certified plumber.

Other boiler problems include:

The thermostat is not working
Frozen condensation pipe
Heating or hot water not coming on
Loss of boiler pressure

Though the above are not as urgent as the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, it is still important that you contact your plumber if any problem arises.

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