Most boiler breakdowns I get called to could have been prevented with a 5-minute check the homeowner could have done themselves. These are the seven things worth doing every few months.
1. Check the pressure gauge
Pressure should sit between 1 and 1.5 bar when the heating is off. Below 1, you'll get error codes and weak heating. Above 2, the system is stressed. Top up via the filling loop (slowly), or call me if pressure keeps dropping.
2. Bleed the radiators annually
Cold spots at the top of a radiator mean trapped air. A bleed key (£2 from any DIY shop) and a small towel are all you need. Top up boiler pressure afterwards.
3. Get a magnetic filter fitted
If your boiler is older than five years and you've never had a magnetic system filter installed, this is the single best £150 you can spend on your heating. It catches the iron oxide sludge that wrecks pumps and heat exchangers.
4. Book an annual service
An annual service is a manufacturer warranty requirement. Skip it and a fault that would have been covered becomes your bill. £100 a year is genuine value.
5. Run the heating in summer
Fire up the heating for 15 minutes once a month in summer. Pump seals and valves seize up if they sit unused for six months, then fail the first cold night in October.
6. Check the flue clearance
The boiler flue must have clear space around the exit point. If a hedge has grown over it or you've stored garden furniture against the external wall, move it. Blocked flues are a CO risk.
7. Listen for new noises
Kettling, banging, or whooshing noises are early warning signs. Get them diagnosed before they become a breakdown.
If you ever smell gas or your CO alarm sounds, leave the property, call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999, and call me once the supply is made safe.