Common Boiler Issues and How to Prevent Them May 16, 2025 Even the most reliable boilers can encounter issues from time to time, especially during the colder months when they’re working hardest. Spotting problems early and taking preventative steps can help you avoid costly repairs, breakdowns, and energy waste. In this blog, we’ll look at some of the most common boiler issues and how you can prevent them from happening in the first place. Common Boiler Issues and How to Prevent Them Low Boiler Pressure Low pressure is a frequent issue that can affect your boiler’s ability to heat your home or provide hot water. It’s often caused by a leak in the system or by bleeding radiators. How to Prevent It: Check your pressure gauge regularly and top it up if it falls below the recommended level (usually around 1 to 1.5 bar). If the pressure keeps dropping, get it checked by a professional. Frozen Condensate Pipe During cold weather, the condensate pipe, which safely removes acidic water from your boiler, can freeze. This can shut down the system entirely. How to Prevent It: Lag any external pipework and keep your heating ticking over at a low temperature in freezing conditions. If the pipe does freeze, it can often be thawed safely with warm (not boiling) water. Noisy Boiler or Radiators If your boiler is making banging, whistling, or gurgling sounds, or if your radiators aren’t heating up evenly, it could be a sign of air trapped in the system or a buildup of sludge. How to Prevent It: Bleed your radiators once or twice a year, and consider a powerflush if you have ongoing issues. Regular servicing will help catch circulation problems early. Boiler Not Igniting If your boiler won’t ignite, it could be due to faulty ignition leads, a blocked burner, or problems with the gas supply. How to Prevent It: Have your boiler serviced annually to ensure all parts are functioning correctly. Keep an eye out for fault codes and contact a Gas Safe engineer if ignition fails. Leaks and Drips Leaks can develop from worn seals, corroded components, or poor installation. Even minor leaks can lead to pressure drops and internal damage. How to Prevent It: Check for signs of moisture around your boiler regularly. Annual inspections will help identify deteriorating seals or joints before they cause a breakdown. Looking to avoid boiler issues and stay warm all year round? Heatfire Ltd offers professional servicing, diagnostics, and repairs to keep your heating running smoothly. Whether you’ve noticed signs of a fault or just want peace of mind, get in touch with our expert team today. Call us or use our online contact form to book your boiler service.
