Boiler servicing... What is a boiler service, exactly?

Many people are a bit puzzled by boiler servicing. Puzzled about what it is, why it should be done, and what happens if it is not carried out regularly. There is a suspicion that very little is done really during a boiler service and it's a work creation scheme dreamed up by lazy gas engineers. This isn't true (mostly!), so here are some proper answers...

What it is...

It's checking, cleaning, testing and pre-emptive fault-spotting, really, with the emphasis on testing all the different functions of an appliance for correct and safe operation. Unfortunately, different companies have widely differing ideas about what should be done to service a boiler. At one extreme some engineers do no more than put a probe in the flue outlet to analyse the contents of the flue gasses, and if all is well, announce the boiler is working correctly and start writing out the invoice. At the other extreme there are engineers who check the pipework, ventilation, clearances etc then take everything to pieces, clean and reassemble, and spend ages testing the operation of every single aspect of the boiler functions for safe and correct operation. It's no wonder that boiler service prices vary widely is it? (I fall firmly in the second camp, by the way.) The first method is an outrageous short-cut and does nothing to confirm the boiler is actually safe to use.

Why it should be done...

When a boiler or gas appliance appears to be working well, there 'could' be hidden faults. These will be revealed by a proper service.
A good example would be the device which turns the boiler off if the pilot light blows out. If this fails to work when needed you could have gas leaking into your house, but how do you know if yours still works? This will be tested during the service procedure. What happens if not carried out regularly... Well, in most cases, everything will be fine, but you won't know for sure. The whole boiler installation is examined and tested for correct installation and operation. A wide variety of things go wrong with boiler installations and the gas regulations exist to make sure installations are safe. Proper servicing, in summary, makes sure your installation is safe. How often should servicing be done? It's very much up to you. How often do you want your system to be inspected and confirmed safe? Most manufacturers recommend annually. This is much more important once a boiler is a few years old than when it is brand new in my opinion, and more important if the boiler has an open flue (vertical, chimney-style) rather than a balanced flue (horizontally, through the wall). My view is that open flued appliances should be done every year. This is because it's mostly open flued appliances that cause carbon monoxide deaths. It is so easy for combustion products to get into the house when something goes wrong with the flue (or the ventilation), and frequent servicing helps identify flueing problems early.

BOILER SERVICE EXPERTS

In order to keep your boiler in mint condition and ensure you have hot water and heating when you need it, it is highly recommended to service your boiler on a yearly basis. A boiler that is services annually is more reliable, more efficienct and is less likely to cuase a carbon monoxide poisoning. Our Gas Safe registered plumbers and heating engineers have years of boiler service experience.
They will service your boiler efficiently and according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Glenview Heating Ltd engineers specialise in installing and serving boilers by the leading brands, including Worcester Bosch, Warmflow and Firebird. Our heating engineers are Gas Safe registered (RGIII) and are experienced in boiler service and boiler repair on all types of gas boiler and central heating systems. Glenview Heating Ltd plumbing and heating team has developed a strong expertise in high efficiency boilers and central heating systems, which includes breakdown repair as well as full system designs and installations.

Boiler Service - Key Steps

A professional boiler service by an experienced engineer is key in safeguarding your boiler and ensuring it is efficient and safe. A boiler that is serviced annually will be working to the specifications designed by the boiler manufacturer and guarantee your peace of mind. This will help prolong the life of the boiler as well as reduce the risk of faults and expensive repairs down the line. A detailed boiler service will include inspection of the gas pipe work, ventilation, clearances etc. The system is then inspected, cleaned and reassembled. The operation of the boiler functions are then inspected for safe and correct operation. Boiler Annual Service Procedure This is a typical check list for an annual boiler service. Preliminary examination:

• Boiler location - is it suitable?
• Any visual damage on the boiler?
• Correct operation – check that the boiler operates correctly, including consumer controls and safety devices
• Flame – is it burning as per the spec?
• Electrical wiring – check they complies with electrical regulations
• Near environment – ensure clearances from combustible materials
• Gas/oil supply pipe work – ensure correct installation and clearances
• Room ventilation – ensure sufficient ventilation

Full service procedure:

• Main boiler burners – remove, clean and inspect condition
• Boiler gas/oil injectors – clean and inspect conditions
• Pilot assembly – dismantle and clean pilot assembly (including gas injector)
• Heat exchanger – clean and check condition
• Check boiler parts for gas/oil leaks (case and seals)
• Thermocouple – check condition
• Measure gas pressure and flow rate, and adjust if necessary
• Flue - inspect for faults
• Assemble all boiler parts back and test operation Manufacturers' specific instructions may have more steps to follow. A proper boiler service takes at least an hour. A gas fire, although appearing to be a simpler appliance, usually takes around the same amount of time because the flue/chimney system needs especially thorough checking.
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