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How to stop a boiler breakdown during the summer months

As summer sets in and the weather becomes increasingly warmer, your boiler becomes less active meaning that it’s more vulnerable to boiler breakdown.

Should I worry about a boiler breakdown?

During the summer a boiler breakdown may not be your biggest concern as people typically take cold showers, have the windows open and rarely need the use of heat. Although in the circumstances of heating water up you could be in trouble if your boiler goes on the blink.

So yes you should worry about your boiler breaking down, not only is it a nuisance but it can be dangerous if left faulty. Boiler breakdowns can result in carbon monoxide poisoning which can be extremely harmful to the human body. So it’s essential that you hold regular boiler maintenance to ensure that your boiler is in excellent condition when it’s not being used throughout the summer. We recommend calling Baker Smith who can advise you on things that you can do yourself to keep your boiler running efficiently. Not only is a faulty boiler dangerous, but it costs you extra money on your energy bills!

So if you want to know how you can minimise the risk of your boiler breaking down during the summer, then keep reading!

Know the Manual

Every boiler comes with a manual, mainly filled with general information and care tips for your boiler. A lot of the things in the boiler manual won’t apply to you as a homeowner, but will apply to your gas safe engineer who fits and carries out gas services. Although you may not be able to carry out any repairs or alterations on your boiler, it’s still a good idea to read through the boiler manual and get to grips with the first signs of any issues and what to do in the case of an emergency. You don’t have to understand how the boiler works, but if you can see the warning signs before a problem unfolds you’re going to keep your family safe and save money on extensive boiler repairs.

Try & Keep your Boiler on Slightly

Boiler breakdowns are common during the summer due to your boilers inactivity during the long warm months. We recommend keeping your boiler on slightly just to give it a quick run through to get it up and working again. Frequent slight usage is enough to keep your boiler in excellent condition and gives it the work it needs to keep it working efficiently. This doesn’t mean that you should have your heating on blast throughout the warm months. Simply have your thermostat on a low temperature just to work your boiler through and then turn it off. If it’s really hot, then open the windows while you gently blast the heating just to get it going.

Never Attempt a DIY Yourself

DIY boiler maintenance is all good and well, but if you suspect that there’s an issue with your boiler then never attempt to make any repairs or alterations yourself. Boilers are dangerous if you are not educated in working with them, which is why you should only ever have boiler installations carried out by a professional. If you want a new boiler or want to change something about your current boiler, always speak to a qualified professional boiler engineer who can guide you down the right path and provide you with the best options.

Have Regular Boiler Servicing

The best time of year to have a boiler service is during the summer months. Simply because this is the time of year when plumbers are their least busiest. Meaning that you can have a boiler service fast and efficient to ensure that your boiler is working for the remainder of the year – and in time for winter. Boiler servicing is offered by most plumbers and involves them doing a simple diagnostic of your boiler to check for any faults that could be affecting the efficiency of your home as well as causing dramatic changes to your energy bills. Boiler servicing ensures a more efficient boiler that can save you money on your energy bills in the long run.

Don’t let you Radiator Valves become Jammed

When left over a period time, your radiator valves can become stiff and jammed. Which isn’t good news for your property during the winter months when you want to use your radiators and internal heating systems. We recommend that as a step in your DIY boiler maintenance regime that you check the tightness of your radiator valves to ensure that there isn’t too much pressure and that they don’t become stuck. This is a simple task that can be done by yourself, although it can be carried out by a plumber if you wish to seek professional help to ensure it’s done correctly. Loosen your radiator valves with a spanner, although you must be careful as not to loosen them too much.

Don’t Leave your Boiler Maintenance too Long

We understand that you’re busy, and it’s easy for the things that everyday life throws at you to get on top of you. Meaning that a boiler service may be one of the things you push right back into the year. But by leaving your boiler out of use and unserviced for a more extended period, the more likely it is to break down and need expensive repairs or even replacement. So although it is a pain, be sure to get yourself booked in.

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