Service
Boiler Repairs
Diagnosing and fixing a boiler that has stopped, locked out, lost pressure or is giving no hot water, by a registered engineer.
Before you ring anyone
A surprising number of "breakdowns" are fixed in five minutes without a visit. Check the pressure gauge: most sealed systems want about 1 to 1.5 bar when cold, and below that the boiler will often refuse to fire. Check the power and the timer or thermostat, which may have reset after a power cut. On an oil boiler, check there is oil in the tank.
In freezing weather, a condensing boiler that shows a fault and gurgles is very often a frozen condensate pipe outside, which can be thawed safely with warm (not boiling) water. Press the reset once after any of these fixes. If it locks out again, stop there.
If you smell gas, do not touch the boiler at all. Turn off the gas at the meter if you can, open windows, do not use electrical switches, leave the property and ring the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. That number is free and run by the gas network, not by any heating firm.
What a proper repair involves
A competent engineer diagnoses before replacing anything. Modern boilers display fault codes, but a code points at a symptom rather than a cause, and the cheapest repairs come from someone who tests the part rather than swapping parts until the fault goes away.
The common faults are well known: a failed pump, fan, diverter valve, printed circuit board, ignition electrode, gas valve or expansion vessel, a blocked condensate trap, or limescale in the heat exchanger. Most are repairable on the day if the part is carried or available locally; some boilers need parts ordered in.
Any gas work, including opening the boiler’s sealed combustion case, must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer whose card covers that appliance. Check the card. The back lists exactly what the engineer is qualified to work on.
When a repair is no longer worth it
A boiler more than about twelve to fifteen years old, a failed main heat exchanger, a part that is no longer made, or a third breakdown in one winter are all signs that money spent on repair might be better spent on replacement. An honest engineer will say so and leave the choice with you.
Where we cover
Common questions
How much does a boiler repair cost?
It depends almost entirely on the part. A diagnosis visit, a small part or a reset is at the low end; a pump, fan or diverter valve sits in the middle; a printed circuit board, gas valve or heat exchanger is at the top. The cost table on this site gives general market ranges, and the boiler repair cost guide explains what moves the figure. Ask for the call-out or diagnosis fee and the hourly rate before anyone arrives.
What does a flashing fault code mean?
It identifies the condition the boiler has detected, such as low pressure, ignition failure or overheating, and the codes vary by manufacturer. The manual or the manufacturer’s website will tell you what yours means. Low pressure and ignition lockouts after a frozen condensate pipe are things a householder can often resolve; anything involving the gas supply, the burner or the inside of the case needs a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Can I reset my boiler myself?
Yes, once. The reset button is designed for you to use. If the boiler locks out again straight away, something is causing it, and repeated resets will not fix it and can make some faults worse, particularly on oil boilers. At that point it needs an engineer.
Should my boiler be repaired by the manufacturer?
If it is still within its manufacturer’s warranty, contact the manufacturer first. Most send their own engineer free of charge for warranty faults, and a repair by someone else can affect the claim. Most warranties require an annual service, so have your service record ready.
Enquire about repairs
Tell us what the boiler is doing, whether it runs on gas, oil or LPG, and where you are, and we will put you in touch with a registered heating engineer where one covers your area. No charge for the introduction, and no obligation.