Boiler not working
Having issues with your boiler? Here’s some helpful advice and practical tips on what to do.
Whether it’s your boiler, cooker or gas fire, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for any work on your gas appliances. This helps ensure the work is carried out safely and to the right standard.
It’s also important to have your boiler serviced every year to keep it working safely and help reduce the risk of problems, including carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Find out more about the Gas Safe Register on their website or call 0800 408 5500. And always look out for the yellow Gas Safe Register triangle.
If there’s a problem with your gas pressure or your gas has gone off unexpectedly, call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.
They’ll arrange for one of our emergency response engineers to come straight out, investigate and make the situation safe.
When your boiler burns gas, it produces water vapour as well as heat. Modern boilers collect this moisture, known as condensate, and safely drain it away through a condensate pipe.
The condensate needs to flow into a suitable drain because it is slightly acidic and could damage surfaces or soil.
Most modern boilers have a condensate pipe. It is usually a plastic pipe that runs from your boiler to a drain, sometimes on the outside of your home.
When temperatures drop, water inside an external condensate pipe can freeze and cause a blockage. If the condensate can’t drain away, your boiler may automatically switch off to protect itself.
If this happens, it’s important to deal with the blockage promptly so you can get your heating and hot water working again.
A frozen condensate pipe can stop your boiler from working, leaving you without heating or hot water. You might also hear a gurgling noise coming from your boiler or the condensate pipe outside.
It’s worth finding your condensate pipe now so you know where to check during very cold weather. If water is flowing from the pipe, it’s a good sign that it isn’t blocked.
If you think your condensate pipe has frozen, you can try gently thawing it:
- Hold a hot water bottle or warm heat pad against the pipe.
- Pour warm, not boiling, water over the pipe using a jug or watering can.
Once the blockage has thawed, check your boiler to see if your heating and hot water are working again.
As the pipe thaws, the blockage should clear and water should begin to flow normally again. If you’re unsure whether the blockage has cleared, or your boiler still isn’t working, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer for help.
Any work on the boiler itself should always be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure it’s done safely.
It’s also a good idea to have your boiler serviced every year. Regular servicing can help identify potential problems and make sure your boiler continues to operate safely and efficiently.
If your property is currently being impacted by a power cut, the loss of electricity means your gas boiler or central heating system won’t work during this time.
To check if your property is being impacted by a power cut, you can visit powercut105.com, or the website of your electricity distribution network. Alternatively, you can call 105.
If your boiler is not working, but is unrelated to a power cut, you’ll need to contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to come and take a look.
Visit the Gas Safe Register website to find an engineer in your area or call 0800 408 5500.