How to Thaw a Frozen Condensate Pipe

Knowing how to thaw a frozen condensate pipe can save you a few bucks and a visit from your boiler engineer. Your boiler’s condensate pipe carries the condensation or moisture from the boiler to the outside of your home. The pipe is typically made of plastic that is white or gray in color. It usually runs from your boiler and out through your external wall, emitting the condensation outside. A frozen condensate pipe is a common problem during winter. Because the pipe runs outside your home, it risks getting frozen even if its insulated. The exposed parts of the pipe can freeze easily if exposed to extreme weather conditions. When the pipe freezes, it will cause blockage to the boiler, as the moisture is not emitted. In turn, your boiler may shut down and you might experience no heat or hot water. For most models, an error code or an indication warning light may appear on the control panel. How to thaw a frozen condensate pipe Here are some tips on how to thaw a frozen condensate pipe: Start by locating the frozen part or parts of the pipe. This will most likely occur in areas that the pipe is exposed to the weather. Try running your hand over the pipe and feel the temperature. If a part feels colder than the rest of the pipe, chances are, that part is frozen. Thaw the pipe carefully. Pour warm water over the frozen part of the pipe using a water jug or bottle. You can also use a hot water bottle or a heat pack to do this. Repeat the...

How to Repressurize a Boiler

Do you know how to repressurize a boiler? One of the most common causes of broken boilers is loss of water pressure. Low water pressure can be caused by several different things such as a leaking boiler. It is also possible to lose pressure when you bleed the radiators. Low water pressure is easy to diagnose. Most modern boiler models feature a built- in pressure gauge that will show the boiler pressure. Before you start the steps to repressurize a boiler, first make sure that it indeed needs to be pressurized by checking the pressure gauge. This is usually found in front of the boiler. Generally, the ideal water pressure should be between 1 and 2 bars. Some models will show a red bar where the water pressure was initially set. If the water pressure is incorrect, you may be able to repressurize a boiler by yourself. Knowing how to increase boiler pressure properly can save you a visit from your local engineer. How to repressurize a boiler Before starting, make sure the boiler is turned off and has cooled down. Always read the manufacturer’s manual before repressurizing a boiler. If the pressure is too low, you will need to top up your system. Locate the filling loop – a flexible hose that is usually silver or grey, with a small valve on each end and usually located at the bottom of the boiler. Make sure both ends are attached securely to both valves. Open both valves either using your hands (if you can) or a flat headed screw driver. When the repressurizing begins, you will hear the water filling the system. Watch...

Boiler Troubleshooting Checklist

Our boiler troubleshooting checklist is a useful tool in case you find yourself with a broken boiler. A residential heating system is a complex appliance. Your gas boiler is no exception. A boiler uses hot water or steam to heat the home, thus there is an additional component – water – in the process. Your gas boiler is a machine, hence, expect that it will break down at some point. There are a number of things that can cause the most common boiler problems. While it is always best to get a professional to do a boiler repair, some boiler problems are very basic that you can fix it yourself. More complicated issues will need more expertise, but you’d be surprised how well you can troubleshoot a gas boiler by yourself. Here’s our boiler troubleshooting checklist to help you. Try these tips first, and you may not need to call a gas safe registered engineer. Make sure that the following are turned on: gas supply, electrical supply, water supply. You’d be surprised at how many times our engineers had to go out and visit a customer and it turns out the water supply was accidentally turned off. Check the thermostat and the timer and make sure that they are both on. Check the pressure gauge. The water pressure ideally needs to be at around 1 bar. Read more about what to do if the boiler keeps losing pressure. If your system has a permanent pilot light, check to see that it has not gone out. Know more about what to do if the pilot light keeps turning off. Try turning...

Troubleshoot a Gas Boiler

Learning how to troubleshoot a gas boiler can come in handy when you suddenly find yourself with a boiler that won’t work. Gas boiler repairs – as well as installations and all types of services – must only be carried out by trained and efficient engineers. A gas safe registered engineer will have the certification and training required to complete any gas boiler repair safely. However, you can troubleshoot a gas boiler and maybe even get it to work while waiting for your engineer to show up using some basic techniques. Here are some key tips before you start to troubleshoot a gas boiler: Don’t assume. Do not make conclusions or assumptions as to what the problems is with your boiler – or what you will do to fix it. Even the most common boiler problems can be caused by several different parts malfunctioning. By assuming that you know what is wrong before even getting started, you are less likely to check the boiler thoroughly to find out if your suspicions are correct. In turn, you will start “fixing” by changing settings or replacing parts which in the end will not actually get the boiler working. Remember to check all components first before making your diagnosis. Troubleshoot a gas boiler systematically. Systematic troubleshooting means applying the solution in a logical manner and following steps accordingly. Use a checklist, or use your manufacturer’s manual as a guide. Ask questions. If you stumble upon something – a weird sound, an unexplainable leak, a foul smell – that is not familiar to you, always ask. You can ask your neighbor or colleague,...

Boiler Problem

A boiler problem can come in various shapes and sizes. Sometimes, you may be able to fix small common boiler problems by yourself. But more often than not, the boiler repair must be performed by a professional. Our home’s heating system really comes to our rescue during winter. But before the cold months arrive, they are usually forgotten. This is one of the most common causes of boiler problems. During the warm months that your boiler is not in use, it will most likely get rusty and develop issues. It is important to get a regular boiler service done annually – ideally before the start of the cold season – to make sure that your boiler is running smoothly. Here are five signs that you have a boiler problem is not working properly: There is no hot water The flame in the boiler is not blue The pressure either keeps dropping or rising There are strange noises from the boiler The boiler is burning more gas than normal If you do encounter a boiler problem, check the following: Check if your electric supply is switched on Check that your boiler gas supply is on and that the stopcock is open Make sure the pilot light is on or igniting (what to do if the pilot light keeps turning off) Make sure that the thermostat and timer are set correctly and operating properly (learn how to  fix a broken boiler thermostat) Ensure that all electronic programmers are working properly such as the LCD display, relay and circuit board electronics If you have a frozen condensate pipe, remedy the problem right away by thawing it Adjust...

Boiler Maintenance Guide

Whether you had a new boiler installation or an old boiler at home, you will find a good boiler maintenance guide useful. Buying a new boiler is not cheap, and because it is an investment, it important that you take care of it properly. Boiler repairs can be both costly and inconvenient. It is better to continually make sure it is operating properly than to spend a fortune on repairs or a higher energy bill because of an inefficient boiler. Boiler Maintenance Guide: The Most Important Tip The most important thing to remember about boilers is that they are machines, and just like your car or other appliances, they need to be serviced regularly. A boiler service must be done at least once a year. The service must only be carried out by a gas safe registered engineer. The engineer will ensure that your boiler is in perfect running condition by: testing that all components are functioning accordingly cleaning and inspecting all pipes and parts replacing all parts that are not working or worn out Boiler Maintenance Guide: Basic Tips Here are more tips for your boiler maintenance: Keep the manual. The user’s manual or manufacturer’s manual that came with the boiler is an important tool in case you boiler breaks. Usually, manufacturers will outline basic ways to troubleshoot common boiler problems, detail certain parts of the boiler, or even offer explanations to boiler jargon. Keep your boiler manual where you can easily access it if needed. If you’ve lost the manual, you can call your manufacturer. Many companies have made their manuals available online too. Just make sure you...