For both your own safety as well as your boiler’s efficiency, you should have your boiler serviced annually by a trained, Gas Safe certified plumbing and heating engineer. Over time, residual build up and worn parts can decrease your boiler’s efficiency, which will be reflected in your heating bills. Even though today’s boilers are more efficient that their predecessors, they can still require regular servicing to continue running in like-new condition. Plumbing on Tap are not only recommended installers of the eco-friendly and energy efficient Worcester Boche boiler models, but we also back our new Worcester Bosch installations with a SEVEN year guarantee.

But more importantly, annual servicing is a safety issue. Even though gas leaks in boilers are a rare occurrence they can still happen and can prove to be fatal to you and your loved ones. A gas leak can cause fire, explosions, and even silent death by means of carbon monoxide poisoning. Always check that the plumbing and heating engineer you’ve hired is Gas Safe certified by checking the Gas Safe register and asking to see the technician’s Gas Safe ID card.

This could be due to what is known as an “airlock,” which can be a reoccurring issue with many radiators. Anytime water is added to the heating system air will enter the system as well. As air is lighter than water, the air will settle within the radiator. This means less water running through the central heating system and colder room temperatures, not to mention an increase in your heating bill. A fantastic way to tell is to feel the radiator itself: if it’s colder at the top than at the bottom, there is a good chance of airlock.

While bleeding a radiator is common practice among homeowners, you can sometimes find yourself in the position of having bled the radiator but it still continues to remain cold. We never recommend any DIY or “cowboy” plumbing jobs when it comes your home’s central heating, so it would be best to call a Gas Safe certified plumbing and heating engineer to inspect your radiators.

A dripping tap can be extremely annoying but is all too common!  If you find yourself with one you could try one of the following;

• Change the cartridge or washer depending on the design of the faucet: turn off the water supply and drain the system. Pry off the cover of the faucet and remove the screw. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nut counterclockwise. Remove the headgear/cartridge and fit in a new one. Reassemble the tap and turn on the water supply.
• Grind the seat to stop drips: if, after you have changed the washer, the faucet still drips from the spout, it may be that the valve seat (the part pushed against by the washer) is worn. You could use a nylon liner to make a new valve seat or grind away a little of the metal to form a new, flat seat.

• Lag your pipes: changes in the weather can cause water in the pipes to freeze. Consequently, the pipes will expand, causing leaks to occur. However, lagging the pipes with insulation can help prevent this. It can also help you to save money on energy bills.
• Know the location of your pipes: you can prevent plumbing emergencies by knowing exactly where your pipes are within the walls, so as to avoid putting nails in those areas.
• Keep your boiler serviced: service your boiler regularly, so as to detect any underlying problems with your central heating system early enough.
• Keep the water pressure at a reasonable level: high water levels can severely strain your pipes in the long run, causing leaks and reducing the life expectancy of your plumbing. Continuous high water pressure puts a lot of strain on the components of the plumbing system, such as joints and valves. You should therefore keep the pressure moderate at all times.

• Corrosion: several factors can cause your pipes to corrode, including ageing, water quality issues, and the resultant chemical reactions.
• Clogs: clogs are often the most common cause of leaks. When a clog is present, the water begins to drain more slowly. This takes a long while to drain off completely or stop draining at all. Subsequently, this causes the pipes to start leaking.
• Degradation and movement: over time, the foundation of your house settles; this in turn causes a shift in the pipes, which may potentially separate them.
• Water pressure: pipes are designed to bear a certain amount of pressure. Leaks occur when this pressure is exceeded.

• Unusual noises in your plumbing: air in the lines as a result of leaks can cause pinging or stuttering when a faucet is turned on.
• Wet spots: a leak in the pipes can cause wet spots on the walls and carpets. Drywalls can also begin to buckle as they absorb water.
• Sediments and rust in the water: since rust causes pipe leakage, sediments and rust particles in the water could indicate leakage.
• Presence of water loving bugs: the sight of water loving bugs can indicate increased humidity and dampness in your home. A water leak is most likely what’s attracting the bugs to begin with.
• Mildew or odor of decaying wood: when you suddenly start sighting mold inside your house, this means that there may be a leak. There could also be a leak if you notice the odor of mildew, decaying wood or that of stagnant water.

There are several reasons that there might be a drop in boiler pressure. One is a lack of water pressure in the boiler and it should  be established from the outset if this is the case. If not it could well be for one of the following reasons;

• Faulty release valve: If there’s an issue with your boiler’s pressure release valve or overflow, you will likely experience a consistent drop in pressure.
• Leaks: There may be a leak somewhere in the system that’s causing your boiler to lose water, which will subsequently lead to a drop in pressure.
• Boiler age: if your boiler is between 20 to 25 years old, there’s a good chance that wear and tear (due to prolonged usage) has affected the vessel or other components.

If you are experiencing an issue with your boiler contact one of our engineers who would be happy to discuss the matter further with you.

To keep your boiler in a good working condition and operating economically it is important to have your boiler serviced annually. It is usually common for new boilers to also state regular maintenance is required as part of the warranty. So, with this in mind, regular servicing should be considered throughout the year and not just left until the winter. Leaving issues until winter time also has the added inconvenience of leaving you without heating  and/or hot water in the coldest months as engineers are generally busier during this time of year.

A well maintained boiler during the Summer will leave you set up for a smooth Winter!