How long does it take a Gas Engineer to fix a faulty boiler? In this guide we outline rough timelines for some of the most common boiler problems.
Boilers are an essential part of your home. Any unexpected problems with the boiler will leave you with a cold home and cold water.
That is a situation you want to avoid at all costs. That is why regular maintenance is necessary to keep your boiler working efficiently.
However, even after taking all the precautionary measures, your boiler may still break down. Leaks, frozen pipes, heating issues — your boiler may go through various issues.
Fortunately, most boiler problems can be easily detected and fixed.
Here’s a handy guide to help you identify some of the most common boiler problems and how long it takes to fix them.
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A Leaky Boiler
A leak in the boiler is one of the most common problems. More often than not, a leak results from ageing parts that are rusting and corroding.
This leads to gaps and friction between joints.
When faced with a leaking boiler, you will want to examine the area with leakage.
If you can determine the cause of leakages, like a corroded pipe or a rusted joint, you can fix it yourself and it will not take too much of your time.
However, if you are unable to determine the cause of leakage, it may be caused by some internal damage or other issues.
In this case, it is necessary to get an expert opinion and let the professionals do the work.
How Much Time To Fix It?
The time taken to fix a leaking boiler will depend on the severity and the location of the leakage.
If the leakage is in an outer part that is easily replaceable, the work can be done in about 4-6 hours.
If the leakage is in an internal part that may require dismantling the system, it will probably take longer to fix it.
Pilot Light Not Working
A pilot light is mostly found in old gas boilers. It is the small blue flame that keeps the burner lit.
If the pilot light is not working, it typically indicates a broken thermocouple.
Image above shows a typical pilot light
A broken thermocouple will disrupt the gas supply. and you will have no hot water or central heating.
If this light is not working, it will need to be re-lit. You can reignite it yourself.
Just make sure you have credit and a live gas supply, and then restart the pilot light.
You can refer to the instruction manual of your boiler for more details. If it is still not working, you will need to hire a professional.
You may be interested in Gas Engineer Allen Hart explaining the most common boiler problems and how you can resolve them in the video below:
How Much Time To Fix It?
If you can fix this problem with the quick fix option from the manual, it will only take about 5-10 mins.
But, if there is more damage and you need to hire a professional, then it will depend on the extent of the problem.
Boiler Making Noises
Boilers usually produce a low humming sound. However, if the boiler starts making unusual noises, it may be because of a faulty thermostat, blockage, or even overheating.
A faulty boiler can make different sounds like kettling, gurgling, banging, whistling, etc.
If your boiler is making a kettling noise, it may be due to air trapped in the pipes or boiler.
The noise may even be caused by debris and deposits clogging the water flow. This blockage causes your boiler to work harder to be efficient.
To fix this, you will have to hire a professional to bleed the system or perform a power flush.
Related troubleshooting guides:
How Much Time To Fix It?
Bleeding your boiler will take only a few minutes, but if power flushing is needed, it may take 1-2 days.
The time required will depend upon various factors and the amount of blockage.
Frozen Condensate Pipe
A condensate pipe transports the acidic water produced by the boiler outside into the drain.
As the pipe is usually out in the open and filled with liquid, the contents may freeze during the winter months. This solidified liquid results in blockage.
Image showing a standard condensate pipe
You can easily fix the problem yourself. Just place a heating pack or a hot water bottle or a warm cloth over the pipe.
You can even lag the pipe to prevent future condensing. Lagging involves insulating the pipe by wrapping it with an insulating material to reduce freezing.
How Much Time To Fix It?
De-freezing the condensate pipe does not require too much time. You should be able to thaw it in 2-3 hours.
Thermostat Issues
A thermostat maintains the temperature of the hot water.
If the thermostat is not heating properly, heating on and off, reading the wrong temperature, or is inaccurate, it will need to be professionally repaired or replaced.
These problems can be caused by loose wires if the thermostat is bumped, or set inaccurately.
To fix the issue, make sure the controls and settings are right. If that does not help, contact a professional as you may need to replace the thermostat.
How Much Time To Fix It?
If the problem is resolved by resetting the controls, then it may take a maximum of 30 mins.
However, if the thermostat is broken, it will need to be replaced, which will take much longer.
Related domestic energy guides:
Hot water But No Central Heating Or Vice Versa
This problem is typically caused by a defective diverter valve. You first need to check whether the thermostat is set at the required temperature.
If there is no issue with the thermostat, then the motorized diverter valve is faulty.
Image showing a typical boiler diverter valve
A diverter valve is responsible for heating and filtering the hot water. It first supplies hot water to the taps and then diverts the hot water to heat the house.
The valve may become dysfunctional because of excessive accumulation of debris and sludge, which results in blockage.
If this happens, it can affect the proper functioning of the valve. Usually, a power flush can resolve the problem if it is caused by a blockage.
But, replacing a diverter valve requires knowledge and expertise, and you cannot do it yourself. It’s recommended to hire a professional for this.
How Much Time To Fix It?
A power flush may take anywhere between a few hours to 1-2 days. Replacing the valve may take a few hours.
Radiator Stops Heating
Sometimes, the radiators stop heating or only the bottom of the radiator heats up. In this case, neither the room nor the water will get heated.
The radiators may stop working because of some sludge or debris build-up.
This problem can typically be solved by bleeding the system. Or you can also try adjusting the valves on all the radiators.
If both solutions fail to fix the problem, then the problem is due to sludge and power flushing will be required.
How Much Time To Fix It?
Bleeding and balancing the system will not take much time.
But, if power flushing is required, the time taken will depend upon the number of radiators, the amount of sludge, and other factors.
Typically, it may take a maximum of 2 days.
Boiler Cutting Out
If the boiler switches on fine but stops working abruptly, it may be due to low pressure. Check the pressure gauge. If the needle is below 1, try re-pressuring the boiler.
If pressure is not the issue, it could be because of trapped air. To fix this problem, the system will need to be bled.
How Much Time To Fix It?
Bleeding the system can take 1-2 hours.
How Long Does It Take To Fix A Boiler Conclusion
Most problems with a boiler can be resolved with quick fixes and do not require any professional expertise.
However, if you are not familiar with the system, tinkering with your boiler can be dangerous.
It’s always recommended to hire a professional if you encounter any problem with your boiler to get it fixed.
Next Steps For Your New Boiler Journey:
When planning to install a new boiler for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, or check out our YouTube channel to learn more.
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