Why service your boiler every year?
A boiler burns gas in your home every day for much of the year. An annual service is the simplest way to make sure it is doing that safely and efficiently. It is also when small issues – a weeping seal, a partly blocked condensate trap, a tired expansion vessel – are found and dealt with before they cause a breakdown on the coldest night of the year.
Most boiler manufacturers also require a yearly service by a Gas Safe registered engineer to keep their warranty valid, so keeping your service up to date protects your investment.
What happens during a service
A proper service is more than a quick look. We check how the boiler is burning using a flue gas analyser, inspect the internal components, check that the flue is sound and clear, test the safety devices and make sure the system pressure and expansion vessel are right. At the end you get a record of what was checked.
If we find anything that needs attention, we explain what it is, how urgent it is and what it would cost to put right. You decide what happens next.
Servicing for older and rural homes
Many homes around Hexham are older stone properties with long pipe runs, cold outbuildings and exposed walls. A service is a good time to look at the bigger picture too – for example whether the system would benefit from a magnetic filter, whether radiators need balancing, or whether the condensate pipe needs protecting against frost.
The best time to book
Late summer and early autumn are ideal: the boiler is checked before you rely on it all day, and appointments are easier to arrange than in the first cold snap. If you have a fault at the moment, mention it when you book and we will look at that too.
Landlords and letting agents
If you let a property, a boiler service is different from a landlord gas safety record (often called a CP12). Please tell us exactly what you need when you get in touch and we will confirm what we can provide.
What a boiler service usually includes
- Visual check of the boiler, flue and pipework
- Checking the flue terminal is clear and correctly sited
- Combustion analysis with a flue gas analyser
- Checking gas pressure and burner operation
- Inspecting seals, the heat exchanger and key components
- Checking the condensate trap and pipe
- Testing safety devices and controls
- Checking system pressure and the expansion vessel
- A written service record for your files
Good to know
- Book before winter Late summer and early autumn are the best times to service, before the heating is needed every day.
- Keep your paperwork Most boiler warranties ask for proof of a yearly service.
- Landlords A service is not the same as a landlord gas safety record (CP12) – tell us if you need one and we will confirm what we can provide.
