Things to do when your boiler breaks down

Check everything is turned on.

It seems quite simple but it’s worth double checking that somehow the boiler hasn’t been turned off and there is no point panicking and making a very expensive call out when it’s not needed. To help you to find what you should be looking for…

Read the manual

OK, really you should have read the manual when you had the boiler installed but lets face it most of us have more important and more interesting things to do. Read it now, without panicking or thinking about your potential bill to replace the boiler, find out what you need to check. Check and double check everything you need to before calling your engineer because this will save you time and money.

Make a note of any odd noises and the boiler’s performance over the last couple of months

If you have double checked the boiler for yourself, make a note of anything out of the ordinary. Also make a note of any leaks and strange noises your boiler might be making and check this with the rest of the family too…they may be able to let you know of problems you weren’t already aware of. When you have made a list of all this information then it is a good time to call the engineers.

Do not try to perform any repairs yourself

It seems as though this would be common sense however when people are faced with large bills and a lack of heating or hot water the mind can sometimes trick you into a bit of DIY that could cost you a lot more in the long run and even get you into deeper trouble with the law. DO NOT be tempted to even pick up a tool unless you, yourself, are a registered gas fitter or boiler repair person. Do not allow your friendly neighbour, brother or boyfriend to touch your boiler either.

Make an appointment for repair early in the day

Your boiler repair company should be able to respond very quickly once you have given them all the information to hand. Remember, you have written down how the boiler has been performing and what, if anything, it is doing now. As well as this you will need to know the name, model and age of the boiler and you can find this information in the manual. From this information they should be able to tell you what type of repair they expect. This will probably depend on them coming out to check but the more information you can give the more well equipped they will be to handle your problem and the more money you will save on your callout. If you are calling on a weekend or during a public holiday do consider that even if the engineer comes to look at your boiler straight away they may not be able to get parts until the following week, in which case it might be best to sit tight, visit your relatives and let the engineers come without the surcharge and on a day which they can purchase your parts. Of course if your house is being flooded or there is any inherent danger to you or your family an immediate call out will be necessary.

Choose a registered heat engineer

It goes without saying that an unregistered tradesman will not be covered for faulty work in the same way as a registered one will be. It is always a false economy to employ someone on a ‘cash’ basis unless they are a member of your family, even then you may still be breaking the law and the small saving you make will not be worth it in the long run. Registered engineers can be found via gassaferegister.co.uk

Think about insurance

I’m sure at the time that your boiler breaks down you ARE thinking about insurance particularly if you don’t already have any. Check out a comparison site for next time such as Uswitch.com