Boiler Maintenance Tips

Damage to boilers always seems to happen at the most inconvenient times when the winter weather descends. That’s often due to the fact that they’ve sat quietly throughout the summer and then suddenly are asked to work at full tilt when autumn and winter descend. Boiler problems can be annoying and expensive, but there are some things you can do to protect this important investment. Prevention can save a lot of money and hassle, so here’s what homeowners should do to prepare for winter:

Regular servicing

A top way to maintain your boiler at peak condition is for it to have a service every year and take note of the advice and recommendations in the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll be visited by a gas safety engineer who will do this so you can be sure that your boiler is functioning properly. For Boiler Service Essex, visit a site like https://www.essexcountygas.com/boiler-service-repairs-wickford/

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Insulating pipes

By insulating your pipes, you’ll stop them from freezing when the weather falls below zero. This helps to stop the boiler’s pipes from freezing up during cold snaps which is the main cause of damage to the boiler. Insulating the pipes is quite cheap and can be purchased at a local DIY stores.

Look after your central heating

Caring for the central heating as a whole is a great way to reduce the chances of suffering damage to the boiler.

Bleeding your radiators is a simple job that can help eliminate excess air trapped inside it. You might have felt that some of your radiators are different temperatures at top and bottom, in which case there is likely air trapped in the system. You have to release the air, because it is a sign that your system is not working as efficiently as it should and could mean a great deal of energy waste is occurring.

Radiator bleeding is an easy job. Make sure the heating is turned off before inserting the key into the radiator valve. Turn the key counter about 45 degrees and you will hear the hiss of air. Place down an old towel to catch any water drips. Do the valve up again and this should fix your radiator issue.

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Switch on the heating

Boilers that sit unused for months could be vulnerable to problems, so it’s always a good idea to turn on your heater once in a while just to keep the system active. During the summer, it is recommended that you run your heating occasionally for about minutes.

Reset the pressure

Over time, the boiler can lose some pressure that causes them to run less efficiently. Check out the pressure gauge on your boiler to see if it might need to be reset. You may need to read the manual or call a specialist engineer.

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