Every home has one, and while it may not seem like a crucial part of your home’s plumbing in summer, come winter, the last thing you want is your boiler breaking down!
When you have bought your home, the boiler is one of the key parts you will need to maintain to keep it ticking over, but if you are new to owning a property, you may have never needed to do this before. So, how exactly do you maintain a boiler without undertaking a course in plumbing? Read on to find out!
Check The Pressure
When you look at your boiler’s pressure gauge, it may seem a bit complicated, but all boilers follow a similar system. They have a gage that reads between 1 and 5, which indicates the pressure of the boiler; if the pressure is too low, then you may need to look into boiler servicing, as your boiler will not be able to heat water as it needs to, and your house will become cold. If the pressure is too high, the entire heating system may become damaged, so be sure to check the pressure at least once a week.
Bleed Your Radiators
The last thing you want in your heating system is air inside the radiators. How do you spot this? Listen for gurgling sounds when the radiators are heating up. If you hear any, there is air trapped in there, so you will need to bleed the radiators. All you need is a radiator key, a bowl, and some towels! Air trapped in your radiators can cause your boiler to work overtime, driving the pressure up, so try to keep any air out of the plumbing system in your home.
Keep it Clean
It sounds so simple, but no matter where your boiler is located, try to keep it clean. Debris and dust can accumulate on and around your boiler, which can lead to it having lower performance and efficiency. So, be sure to wipe down the outside of the radiator with a damp cloth and hoover around it to keep it clean and functioning.
Insulate Your Pipes
To keep your boiler happy and healthy, you will also want to reduce the amount of heat escaping from the system. This means that you may need to insulate your pipes, especially when winter is approaching. This simple trick will increase the efficiency of your boiler and will also save you money on energy costs. It’s not hard to do either; many DIY stores can provide insulation for pipes, and it only takes a little bit of time to fit the material.
Service It!
Lastly, to keep your boiler working, you need to make sure that it gets serviced once a year by a trained engineer. They will be able to spot any issues within the system, as well as give the inside of the boiler a professional cleaning to help it work as it needs to. When you buy a home, make sure you have the records of when the boiler was last serviced so you can book the next appointment.
