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Boiler Broken? Fastest Boiler Repair Service in London. Our Gas Safe Registered engineers Have 20+ Years of Experience, No Hidden Costs. 24/7 emergency service
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Boiler Broken? Fastest Boiler Repair Service in London. Our Gas Safe Registered engineers Have 20+ Years of Experience, No Hidden Costs. 24/7 emergency service
London Boiler Repair – Pace gets your emergency boiler problems fixed fast
ENERGY TIPS
Take the Guesswork out of Your Connected Home Setup with Pace A trusted leader in the home service industry, we make easy to keep your home comfortable, with the latest Smart Home systems. including the Google Nest Thermostat, Nest Hello and more.
ENERGY TIPS
Take the Guesswork out of Your Connected Home Setup with Pace A trusted leader in the home service industry, we make easy to keep your home comfortable, with the latest Smart Home systems. including the Google Nest Thermostat, Nest Hello and more.
Does your boiler need to be repaired? Find out with this checklist
We’re always happy to send one of our expert boiler repair heating engineers to your home. But before we do this checklist may help avoid extra expense and frustration.
- Is your thermostat set to “heat”? Sometimes we forget to switch the thermostat setting to heating when the seasons change.
- Is your boiler switch set to “on”? The boiler switch – or disconnect switch – is a safety feature that disconnects power to your boiler. It’s usually found to the side of your equipment or on the wall. Occasionally, this switch is turned off by accident or by homeowners who forget to turn it back on.
- Is the circuit breaker on? Believe it or not, it’s possible the circuit breaker that controls your boiler heating may have shut off. Check the breaker panel in your home and make sure the power to the boiler is set to “on”.
- Have you checked the boiler flue vent? Boilers can sometimes work improperly or not at all if snow, slush, garbage or small animals hiding away clog up boiler flue vents that lead from the outside of your home to your heating system. A Pace London heating engineer can do a proper inspection, but you may want to take a quick look just in case.
- Is your boiler condensing pipe frozen? A frozen condensing pipe is one of the most common reasons for heating equipment not performing the way it should. If you haven’t checked yours in more than three months, it could cause or contribute to issues with your boiler’s ability to heat.
If you’ve discovered any items on this checklist – or something else doesn’t seem right – don’t hesitate to call us. We would consider it a privilege to serve you.
10 of the most common boiler repair problems fixed by our team
There are dozens of factors that can contribute to a malfunctioning boiler and central heating system. Here are the top issues repaired by Pace Heating & Plumbing engineers:
Hot water but no heating
A boiler should provide your home with central heating and domestic hot water. If you’ve found that you’re getting hot water from the taps but no central heating, there’s a problem.
- When you have no central heating, first make sure your thermostat is working and then check to see if the boiler pressure is too low.
- Thermostats allow you to control the temperature of the central heating, as well as the time it should come on. If the heating hasn’t come on at the expected time, double check the settings.
- Boiler pressure is a term used to describe the pressure of the hot water running through the central heating system. Should the boiler pressure drop too low, the central heating will fail to work.
- Increasing the boiler pressure is something you can do without calling out a heating engineer. However, if you’re the slightest bit unsure, don’t hesitate to contact us at Pace Heating & Plumbing.
- Thermostat troubles and low boiler pressure aren’t the only reasons why you might have domestic hot water but no heating. Unfortunately, though, this is where it gets a little more complex
- If your thermostat is fine and the boiler pressure is high enough, there could be a fault in need of professional repair.
- A Pace heating engineer will diagnose the fault and carry out the necessary repairs or replace broken parts.
No heat or hot water
You should be able to rely on your boiler to provide your home with heating and hot water. If you find that it isn’t able to do either then you’ll want to get it fixed as quickly as possible.
There’s no single issue that can lead to your boiler failing to provide heat or hot water.
Before jumping to conclusions about potential faults, check that power is being supplied to the boiler.
If your boiler is receiving power then we can begin looking further into possible issues. Your boiler should display an error code to help you locate the source of the problem. However, to give you some ideas, possible issues include:
- Fuel isn’t making its way into your property. If you have a gas boiler, ensure that your gas supplier is still supplying fuel.
- Double check the thermostat settings and set the desired temperature higher than the current room temperature
- The condensate pipe has frozen and needs thawing out (we’ll come onto this later below)
- Low boiler pressure so ensure the boiler pressure is set according to the manufacturers instructions (usually between 1 and 2 on the pressure gauge)
- Older boilers will have a pilot light, a small flame that constantly burns before lighting a larger flame when heating or hot water is needed. If the pilot light goes out then the boiler won’t be able to fire into action.
Boiler is leaking
A leak coming from your boiler is never a good sign. And the cause of the leak will depend where the water is coming from.
Before attempting to locate the cause of the leak, stop the water supply and turn off the central heating.
It’s important to note that you should never attempt to repair a boiler leak yourself – A Pace heating engineer will diagnose the fault and carry out the necessary repairs or replace broken parts.
The most common cause of a leaking boiler is a broken internal component, such as a pump seal or pressure valve. If the leak is coming from the pressure valve it could be the case that the boiler pressure is too high. Meanwhile, a leak from the pump seal is a sign that it may have worn out and need replacing.
In the case that the boiler is leaking around the pipes or tank then that’s a strong indication of corrosion. Otherwise, it could be the result of a poor installation. Either way, we recommend calling Pace Heating & Plumbing
Boiler is kettling
Hearing a strange rumbling noise similar to when a kettle is boiling? When lime scale or sludge builds up on your boiler’s heat exchanger (a coil that transfers heat from the fuel to the water that will circulate around the heating system) you can get something called kettling.
When debris builds up in your boiler, it can restrict the flow of water within the heat exchanger. This can overheat the water, causing it to steam and boil – causing kettle-like sounds.
Kettling is more common in areas with hard water, but can affect boilers in soft water areas too. Not only does it cause your boiler to work harder and thus cost more to run, it can also shorten the system’s life.
If your boiler is kettling, it’s advisable to call Pace Heating & Plumbing support 0207-183-2727. The engineer will likely flush out your system to remove the build-up of these deposits and ensure the system is working properly once more.
Noisy boiler (e.g. banging, whistling, gurgling)
From banging and clanging to whistles and gurgles, a heating system can make a number of noises caused for a number of reasons. If you hear a noise coming from the boiler or heating system, don’t ignore it as there’s probably a fault. The potential fault will vary depending on the type of sound and where it’s coming from. We’ve listed some common boiler noises below to help you find the cause.
Whistling; We’ve already covered kettle-like sounds, caused by a build-up of sludge on the heat exchanger.
Banging; Banging will commonly be caused by the pipework or an internal component coming loose but could also be the result of debris building up on the heat exchanger. Some banging noises could potentially be an indication that the pump – which pumps hot water from the boiler around the central heating system – is close to failing.
Clanking; A sound not too far from banging is a clanging noise that could again be caused by loose pipework. Alternatively, it could mean that the boiler fan is being obstructed.
Buzzing; A buzzing noise could indicate that electrical components within the boiler are malfunctioning and likely need to be replaced. If the buzzing noise is coming from the thermostat then it could mean that the conductor is dirty and needs to be replaced
Humming; Boilers tend to have some operational noise that resembles a slight humming – for the most silent models, look out for boilers that have been quiet– but a loud humming could be the sign of a loose part (most likely the central heating pump).
Gurgling; Too much air within the pipes can cause blockages that prevent the water from circulating around the heating system. Should you be hearing this by a radiator then it’s likely that they need to be bled.
Low boiler pressure
Boiler pressure is a measurement of the pressure of the hot water passing through the central heating system. Should the boiler pressure drop too low then the central heating will fail to work.
Your boiler will feature a pressure gauge that can be used to read the boiler pressure. If the needle is anywhere below 1 then the pressure is too low. Typically boiler pressure should sit somewhere between 1 and 2. However, you should consult the manufacturer’s instructions to find the appropriate pressure for your boiler.
All boilers will very gradually lose boiler pressure over time but a sudden sharp drop could be the sign of a bigger issue. So if you’ve noticed a drop in boiler pressure check for water leaks and cold patches on radiators (as they may need bleeding).
Increasing boiler pressure is something you can do yourself although you shouldn’t hesitate to contact us at Pace if you need to.
Frozen condensate pipe
Condensing boilers have a condensate pipe which leads acidic water, produced as the boiler operates, away from the unit and down a drain. Many condensate pipes are external to the property which, as they contain liquid, can make them prone to freezing.
You can thaw out the condensate pipe yourself by pouring warm (not boiling) water over the frozen area.
To prevent the condensate pipe from freezing in future, we recommend lagging the pipe. Lagging simply means wrapping the pipe with insulation to keep it warmer and lower the risk of it freezing.
Wrapping the pipe with insulation is something you can do yourself although you shouldn’t hesitate to contact us at Pace if you need to.
Radiators are cold
In the case that some of your radiators aren’t heating up then there could be a build up of sludge or air in the system.
If only the bottom of your radiator is getting hot then you might need to bleed the radiator. This is fairly straightforward and doesn’t require an heating engineer but if you don’t feel comfortable doing it then contact Pace Heating & Plumbing if you need to.
If certain radiators aren’t getting hot then your radiators could need balancing. This can also be done without the help of an heating engineer but only if you feel confident doing it. The process involves adjusting the valves on all of the radiators in your property to ensure each is getting enough hot water to work effectively. Our guide on How to Balance Radiators can take you through the process.
Should you try bleeding and balancing your radiators but have no luck then you could well have an issue with sludge build up preventing a free flow of hot water to the radiators. A Pace Heating & Plumbing engineer can remove this build up by chemically cleaning or flushing the system, this is something that you shouldn’t try yourself.
Boiler keeps switching itself off
A boiler could be constantly switching itself off for a number of reasons. Some of the key culprits are:
- Low boiler pressure
- Thermostat issues
- Lack of water flow due to a closed valve or the pump not circulating the water around the system properly
- Too much air within the system
- A build up of sludge or other debris within the system
If the thermostat is working as it should and the boiler pressure is in line with the manufacturer’s instructions then it’s time to call Pace Heating & Plumbing 0207-183-2727.
Boiler is not responding to the thermostat
Pairing your boiler with a thermostat – particularly a smart thermostat – is a great way to increase the efficiency of your home. However, if your boiler isn’t responding to the thermostat then it can be particularly frustrating.
Start by making sure the temperature on the thermostat is above the current room temperature.
If the boiler still doesn’t respond after turning the room thermostat right up then it’s time to look into the problem a little further:
- Check it has a full charge and working batteries
- Smart thermostats need to be connected to the internet so make sure your Wi-FI is running
- Look through the temperature settings and daily schedules that may be preventing the heating from coming on.
Top reasons London homeowners choose Pace heating & Plumbing
For over 30 years, we’ve been providing homeowners in every borough in London with quick boiler and central heating repairs
- Simple, straightforward pricing that tells you how much your service visit will cost before boiler repairs begin
- Fast and professional live telephone support – 24/7/365
- We’re top rated! Just check out what London homeowners are saying about us on TrustMark and Google reviews
- We repair all boiler makes and models
- 10% off your boiler repair bill if you’re a current customer with a Maintenance or Protection Plan
- Flexible payment options including MasterCard and Visa
- The best service guarantees in the business
- Our boiler heating engineer Code of Conduct promises service excellence by calling ahead, treating your home with care, being clear and transparent about any repair or maintenance costs, and much more
5 things to check before you call for boiler repairs
At Pace Heating & Plumbing expert boiler repair engineer are just a phone call away. While we’re always happy to come out to your home to service or repair a boiler that isn’t heating your home, there are five simple things you can check to help you avoid the cost of an unnecessary call.
Check your thermostat
Is your thermostat set to ‘heat’? It may sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget to move the setting ‘heat’ when the temperature outside begins to fall. The setting may also have been changed by accident by a member of your household, so it’s always good to check this setting if your home is not heating properly.
Check that your boiler is on
Your boiler has a safety feature – the disconnect switch – that turns off the power (you can usually find it to the side of your boiler close by on the wall). Sometimes the switch gets turned off accidentally if something is leaning against it, or perhaps someone has turned it off and forgotten to turn it back on. So if your boiler doesn’t seem to be working, check to make sure the switch is set to ‘on’.
Check your circuit breaker
Has the circuit breaker that controls your boiler shut off? Look in your home’s breaker panel and make sure the breaker marked ‘boiler’ is set to ‘on.
Check your boiler Flue
Your boiler has flue leading form the outside of your home to your heating system. If the flue is blocked by snow, dirt, debris, or small animals who may have climbed inside, your boiler will not work properly. A boiler repair engineer from Pace can do a thorough inspection, but it can also be worthwhile to take a quick look yourself.
Check your boiler for a frozen condensate line?
When winter sets in, your home can encounter a number of problems from freezing weather outside. The best solution is to get a hot water bottle and place it on the pipe and allow it to defrost the line. You can also purchase heat wraps used for medical purposes and wrap those around the affected part of the pipe. Finally, you can pour warm water over the pipe to melt the ice.
Scheduling your Appointment
Featured boiler resources
The Ultimate Boiler Guide
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What our customer are saying
"My wife and I are retired. We woke up one morning this winter and knew right away that the heat had gone out. I called Pace Heating & Plumbing early in the morning. Within a few hours of my call, their engineer had our boiler working, just like they guarantee! It gives me peace of mind to know that Pace Heating & Plumbing is there when we need them with good engineer and excellent service.".
“Excellent service. Carried out three jobs, gave estimates for each before they started. Made an appointment to carry out work and arrived dead on time, did the work in a professional manner. A real change from normal run of mill tradesmen. Will definitely use them again.”
"I'm very impressed by Pace Heating & Plumbing. I do not like to let just anybody come into my home, even to do things like repairs. Pace Heating & Plumbing. guarantees that their engineer will be good people and have been vetted. To me, that means that they will be trustworthy, clean, and respectful of my home and my privacy. Based on my experience, Pace Heating & Plumbing. is all of the above!"
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