What to do if your boiler breaks down in the winter
22.09.2023
What to do if your boiler breaks down in the winter
What should you do if your boiler breaks at home where there are lots of people, young kids, or elderly relatives who need to be warm and safe?
This article outlines everything you should think about (in the correct order), so you'll know exactly what to do if your boiler malfunctions.
Why do boiler breakdowns increase in the winter?
The simple explanation is that you use your boiler far more frequently in the winter. Over the course of a year, a boiler can sometimes experience minor issues.
Homeowners and landlords alike frequently discover that little issues ignored over the summer can evolve into major concerns by the time the winter months arrive.
What to do if the boiler breaks down?
If you follow the tips listed below, you should be able to quickly bring warmth and comfort back to your home.
What to do first after your boiler breaks down?
Not to worry. Your home's temperature will start to drop, and your hot water will start to cool off, as the first warning indication.
Verify that the problem is unquestionably with your boiler:
Your boiler has failed if you experience a loss of both heat and hot water.
Keep an eye out for further dangerous boiler malfunction signs:
- A flame that is lopsided and yellow when it should be blue and sharp.
- Obnoxious banging sounds
- Unusual water pressure
- Gas consumption that is higher than usual (check your gas bill or smart meter).
If you see any of the aforementioned symptoms, turn off your boiler right away.
Before you turn off your boiler, make a note of the problem code that appears on the digital display. Your qualified engineer can use the code to help identify the issue.
Before you presume your boiler is broken, check the supply pipes. Does it have access to the necessary supplies of water, power, and gas? Verify the functionality of your ovens and hobs, which use gas.
If not, you might be experiencing a gas supply issue and should get in touch with your gas conveyance network. Additionally, make sure your boiler is powered on and plugged in.
If you have PlusHeat home emergency cover, call us right away and we'll take it from there. As soon as possible, we'll make arrangements for one of our Gas Safe registered engineers to visit your premises.
It's also possible that your home insurance will cover boiler issues, so check the small print of your policy.
If you don't have home emergency insurance, you'll need to find a reliable Gas Safe qualified engineer on your own and call them out, paying any costs. If you need a one-time repair, our repairs department is prepared to assist.
How to keep your family safe if your boiler has broken?
Boilers have a number of fail-safe fittings that will automatically switch the unit off if something goes wrong, including pressure relief valves, oxygen depletion sensors, and overheat stats.
However, a faulty boiler might occasionally represent a major concern because of a gas leak or a fire. Make sure you are mindful of the following factors:
Smell of gas
If you smell gas, turn off the boiler immediately and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Carbon monoxide leak
You should be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning as a homeowner or landlord. An invisible gas that has no smell, carbon monoxide can kill. The following are some signs of exposure:
- Having a stress headache.
- Tiredness.
- Confusion.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea and diarrhoea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Breathing difficulty.
To detect any level of carbon monoxide in the air, homeowners and landlords should have a functional carbon monoxide detector installed on their premises.
The National Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP) can be reached at 0800 111 999 from the outside of your property if you smell gas inside.
It is crucial that you vacate your home and move elsewhere until your boiler has been completely fixed by a Gas Safe licenced expert if you fear anyone in your home may be experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
For additional information, see our post What to do if you smell gas in your home.
Boiler Broke Down!!! - How to keep warm?
You'll need to take measures to remain warm without central heating if your boiler breaks down in the winter. For those who are chronically ill, young children, or elderly, this is especially important.
Wear layers, use hot water bottles, pull the curtains, and if you feel frightened, leave and go to a friend's or family member's house or a hotel.
Who to contact if your boiler breaks down?
Never ever attempt to fix your boiler on your own. Your boiler is a gas appliance, so attempting to fix it yourself is not only risky but could void your warranty or insurance.
To find out who to contact for repairs, check the details of your warranty or insurance policy. Always choose a Gas Safe certified engineer. You can check the Gas Safe Register ID cards on each member of our nationwide teams of skilled experts when they arrive.
Have the make, model, and any problem codes displayed by your boiler noted down when you first call an engineer about your situation.
They might ask you a few questions while you're on the phone to figure out exactly what's going on, to make sure it's safe for you to be in your house, and to rule out any minor problems you can handle on your own like a frozen condensate pipe, low pressure, an out-of-service pilot light, or incorrect settings.
What to do when your Boiler is under warranty?
Many boilers come with a manufacturer's warranty or guarantee, which is a period of time during which the manufacturer will free of charge rectify any real flaws in the boiler.
The majority of boilers on the market come with a one-year warranty, though you can occasionally pay more for an extended warranty. These typically offer two to ten years of boiler protection.
If your boiler is still covered by warranty, all repairs must be made by the manufacturer or a qualified engineer. The warranty will be compromised if you hire someone else.
If your boiler breaks, you should first call the manufacturer, who should then send a service technician to your house.
What to do if you have boiler cover?
Does boiler cover make sense? Boilers are not usually covered by typical house insurance plans.
However, boiler cover is an insurance policy that provides coverage for boiler repair and replacement in the event of a fault.
You can choose a full policy that covers your entire central heating system as well as additional forms of protection including plumbing, drainage, and electrics, or you can obtain PlusHeat boiler cover that only covers the repair or replacement of your boiler.
You won't be without heat and hot water for long if you have PlusHeat boiler cover or more comprehensive heating insurance. Call our emergency hotline, and we'll send out a gas-safe trained engineer right away.
A boiler cover policy will pay for necessary maintenance, unexpected engineer visits, and even boiler replacement. A free annual service, which is by far the greatest method to avoid subsequent breakdowns, is another fantastic benefit of boiler coverage.
What to do if you have home emergency cover?
Make an immediate call to your insurance company! Home emergency coverage is available for just this reason and is worthwhile in the kinds of circumstances that arise across the nation in the winter.
Call an engineer if your boiler breaks down and your house becomes abruptly cold and without hot water.
Your insurance may also provide up to a certain amount of money for overnight lodging for you and your family if your house is dangerous to occupy while the issue is being rectified.
How to prevent your boiler from breaking in the future?
Having your boiler serviced on a regular basis is the greatest way to avoid expensive, inconvenient, and even dangerous boiler failures.
In actuality, a Gas Safe licenced engineer needs to securely inspect and maintain all gas appliances in your home once a year. An annual service is included in all boiler cover plans from PlusHeat.
If your boiler is more than ten years old it will be far less efficient than a modern A-rated boiler and will be costing you money on your energy bills. PlusHeat can give you a quote for a new, energy-efficient boiler in just 60 seconds.
Additionally, you can get in touch with PlusHeat for emergency Boiler or Central Heating cover.
