According to Which? an average of 18% of boilers in UK homes break down every year with the majority facing substantial repair costs due to not adequately maintaining their system. Many homeowners may notice issues such as boiler leaks and decide to address it at a later date, but this can lead to dire consequences.
What causes a boiler to leak?
There are a number of issues that could be causing your boiler to leak, some of which can be fixed relatively quickly and others which will require more time and money. Here are some of the most common issues:
Pipework– One of the most common and more obvious causes is poorly installed or corroded pipework directly underneath your boiler that can result in leaks.
Heat Exchanger– The heat exchanger is one of the most vital and expensive components in your boiler but over time they can become faulty, resulting in leaks.
Corrosion– Over time the internal components of your boiler may corrode, and it will require a more experience eye to determine the severity which is why annual servicing by a Gas Safe Engineer are a necessity.
Pressure– If your boiler pressure is too high, the pressure release valve may begin to leak excess water or more concerningly, the pressure can cause internal leaks. Regularly keeping an eye on your pressure gauge to ensure it is within range is key!
Internal Seals– The majority of internal components within your boiler will have seals which over time can break or decay, again, resulting in leaks.
What to do if a boiler is leaking?
If you have noticed a leak coming from your boiler the first step is to carry out a visual inspection to try to figure out where exactly it is coming from. This will provide you with a better idea of the severity of the issue and you can decide whether there is anything you can do to fix it i.e. correcting your boiler pressure. In most instances, the best option is to contact a reputable Gas Safe boiler engineer who can safely and effectively address the issue.
Is a leaking boiler dangerous?
In short, yes. A leaking boiler can indicate a serious internal issue that needs to be fixed immediately by an engineer. Leaks can corrode and rust internal systems and cause electric components to short circuit. This not only puts your boiler at risk of completely shutting down, but it also risks the structural integrity and safety of your home. If you start to notice a leak from your boiler it should be attended to by an engineer as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Boiler repairs should only ever be carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers, particularly when it comes to leaks. At Range Heating, our team has over 15 years industry experience with a wide range of boiler systems. If you have started to notice a leak from your boiler, don’t wait for the problem to get worse, contact us today on 07872 105 094 or email us at hello@rangeheating.co.uk to arrange a free quote.
