When it comes to boilers, we all want a system that runs smoothly, heats our homes efficiently, and functions effectively for a long time.
The key to a healthy boiler is regular maintenance. Not only does checking in on your boiler and heating system keep it working as it should, but it can also help reduce energy bills and extend the life of your boiler.
Boiler maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. There are some simple tasks you can carry out yourself to keep it up and running. Plus, for tasks that require a professional touch, our qualified Fixers are on hand to help.
Here are our top tips for a healthy and happy boiler!
10 boiler maintenance tips
Properly maintaining your boiler is a must for keeping your home warm, safe, and energy-efficient this winter. Here are 10 simple boiler maintenance tips for every household:
1. Insulate your pipes
Insulating your pipes, otherwise known as lagging, is a cheap and straightforward way to reduce heat loss, improve system performance, and prevent pipes from freezing during below-zero boughts.
Pipe lagging is easy to fit and can be found at most DIY stores. Look for foam tubes that you can slip over the pipes and cut to size. If you have to thaw a frozen condensate pipe year after year, insulating the exposed pipe can minimise the risk of it freezing.
This small step can lead to savings on energy bills and a warmer home whilst protecting your boiler from unexpected damage during freezing spells.
2. Regularly service your boiler
One of the best ways to ensure your boiler remains safe and efficient is to schedule an annual service with a Gas Safe registered engineer. Plus, if you have a boiler warranty, annual servicing is often required to keep it valid.
During a service, the engineer will carry out checks on your boiler, make necessary adjustments, and fix any minor issues that, if left untreated, could turn into costly repairs. To learn more about what a boiler service entails, read our guide: What does a boiler service include?
How long a boiler service takes can vary. However, typically, it only takes around 30-60 minutes to provide peace of mind for the year ahead.
Our Fixers work nationwide, providing boiler services for just £120. At JustFix, we’ll match you with a qualified local heating and gas engineer who can service your boiler at a time that suits you.
3. Bleed your radiators
Bleeding your radiators is a simple and essential maintenance task that can significantly improve the efficiency of your central heating system and solve issues caused by trapped air.
Bleeding radiators is a quick job you can do at home with just a radiator key or flathead screwdrivers. Simply turn off your heating system, place the key in the valve, and turn it anti-clockwise until you hear a hissing sound. Once water starts to drip out, close the valve. For detailed instructions, read our step-by-step guide on how to bleed a radiator.
If your radiator is warm at the top and cold at the bottom or cold at the top and warm at the bottom , bleeding could solve the issue. It’s a good idea to bleed your radiators once or twice a year to prevent air build-up and maintain an efficient heating system.
4. Flush your radiators
Over time, sludge, rust, and debris can build up inside radiators, reducing efficiency and causing cold spots. Flushing your radiators can clear out this sludge and improve your heating system.
You can flush radiators by turning off your heating, draining them, and flushing clean water through them (see our guide: Why is my radiator cold at the top and warm at the bottom? for step-by-step instructions). Alternatively, a professional heating engineer can safely and effectively do this.
Keeping your radiators and pipes clean on the inside is a crucial step to keeping your heating system running smoothly.
5. Monitor boiler pressure
Your boiler must stay within a certain pressure range to operate properly, usually between 1 and 2 bars. You can check the boiler pressure on the pressure gauge. If the pressure is too low, you might need to add water using the filling loop.
If it’s too high, you may need to reduce your boiler pressure by bleeding a radiator, using the pressure relief valve, or draining the system.
Keeping the boiler pressure at the right level will help avoid breakdowns and keep your home warm.
6. Powerflush your heating system
A powerflush is a deep clean of your entire heating system that flushes out any sludge, rust, and debris that has built up in pipes and radiators over time.
Powerflushing is more intensive than individual radiator flushing, as it covers the entire system. This process should only be carried out by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer.
It’s a highly effective way of restoring your heating system’s efficiency, reducing running costs, and extending the lifespan of your boiler.
To find out when you need a powerflush, what the benefits are, and how powerflushing works, read our comprehensive guide: What is a powerflush? Everything you need to know.
7. Listen out for unusual noises
It’s normal for boilers to make noises; a whooshing as it fires up, humming as it works, or small gurgling noises are usually fine. However, certain sounds may indicate an issue.
Keep an ear out for banging, whistling, rattling, or loud gurgling noises. Strange sounds could indicate issues such as trapped air, loose components, limescale buildup, or even a faulty pump.
If you can’t identify the issue, our professional Gas Safe registered engineers are on hand to investigate. Early intervention can prevent these noises from leading to more serious problems.
Our troubleshooting guides, Why is My Boiler Making a Banging Noise? And Why is My Radiator Making Noises? can help you identify and solve unusual noises.
8. Look out for leaks
Leaks can indicate underlying issues, so it’s important to check your boiler, pipes, and radiators regularly.
Look for any signs of moisture or pooling water. Even small leaks can worsen over time and lead to water damage. Leaks could also be a sign of corroded pipes, a signifier that your boiler might need replacing, or too high pressure.
Regularly checking for leaks can help you catch issues early and avoid more extensive repairs down the line. If you spot a leak, it’s best to find and book a Gas Safe engineer to assess and fix the problem before it worsens.
9. Balance your radiators
If some radiators are warmer than others, you may need to balance them. Balancing radiators keeps hot water flowing evenly throughout the system and ensures maximum boiler efficiency.
Balancing your radiators is easy to do yourself without special tools; just follow the instructions in our guide on how to balance radiators.
This simple process can make your home more comfortable, reduce energy bills, and save your boiler working overtime.
10. Check the flame colour
The flame in your boiler should always be a strong blue. A yellow or orange flame could indicate that your boiler isn’t burning fuel properly and may produce carbon monoxide.
This is a potentially dangerous issue that requires immediate attention. If you see a yellow flame, turn off the boiler and call a professional engineer. When you use our emergency call-out service, you can find and book a heating engineer to arrive in as little as thirty minutes.
All properties should be fitted with a carbon monoxide alarm. However, checking the flame colour regularly is a simple but essential safety measure which can also catch leaks.
Signs your boiler needs a JustFix professional’s attention
Whilst many boiler maintenance processes, like bleeding and flushing radiators and insulating your pipes, can be carried out by anyone, some tasks require a professional touch.
For boiler servicing, powerflushing, boiler repairs, and boiler installation, you should always get in touch with a heating and gas engineer. Attempting DIY solutions for some issues may lead to further problems, and holding off when you smell or see something out of order can put your safety at risk.
Here are some signs it’s time to seek expert help:
- If your boiler has been breaking down regularly, it might be best to replace your boiler. You can book a boiler installation through our app.
- If you’ve tried to fix issues like a noisy boiler, cold spots in your radiator, or sludge in the system yourself but the problem persists.
- A sudden increase in energy bills could mean your boiler is working harder than it should be, often due to worn-out components or sludge in the system.
- If you smell something out of the ordinary. This could be a gas leak, so turn off the boiler and book an engineer as soon as possible.
- If you see a yellow flame instead of a blue one when you check the boiler. This indicates an incomplete burn, which can produce carbon monoxide.
Our network of Gas Safe registered engineers operates across the country. From Leicester to Leeds, Bristol to Brighton, and Nottingham to Norwich, there’s a Fixer in your local area who’ll get the job done at a time of your choosing.
Best of all, with fixed hourly rates starting at just £110 an hour and a 12-month guarantee on all work undertaken, you can relax in your warm home without worrying about chilly surprises down the line!
FAQs about boiler maintenance
How often should I get my boiler serviced?
A boiler service should be carried out once a year. Annual servicing ensures your boiler functions safely and efficiently and can help prevent unexpected breakdowns. Plus, if your boiler has a warranty, you’ll usually need to have it serviced annually to keep it valid.
How do I know if my boiler needs servicing?
If your boiler is slow to warm up, leaking, or showing signs of poor energy efficiency, you are probably due a service. If it has been over a year since your last service, it’s advisable to get one booked in.
How long does a boiler last?
Most well-maintained boilers have an average lifespan of around 15 years. Following the tips in this guide can extend your boiler’s longevity. For a deep dive into this topic, see our guide: How long should a boiler last?
