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Solving common boiler problems

A good boiler is one that functions so well you don't even notice it. It should provide your home with plenty of heating and hot water. However, your boiler may experience the odd problem.

We’ve compiled a list of common boiler problems and how to address them.

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Common boiler issues

In many cases, your boiler problems can be resolved quickly. If you have a serious boiler problem and it's no longer working, you may need a Gas Safe engineer to help right away. Our guides below detail the most common boiler issues and problems – from incorrect boiler pressure, to leaking water or a noisy boiler – and how you can resolve them yourself or get in touch with a heating specialist.

Why is my boiler leaking water?

If your boiler is leaking water, it could be due to high boiler pressure, high temperature, a leaky pump, corrosion or problems with the pipe work.

Why is my boiler/heating system making noise?

A noisy boiler can include rumbling, whistling and gurgling. A little noise is normal, but if it’s loud or constant, there could be a problem with your boiler.

What pressure should my boiler be?

For boilers to work efficiently, they must be operating at their optimal pressure. Learn more about boiler pressure and what to do if your boiler pressure is either too high or too low.

How do I set the timer on my boiler?

Tired of waking up feeling cold? Learn how to set up a digital timer on your boiler. Get answers to other common questions about boiler timers.

How do I fix a frozen boiler condensate pipe?

If your boiler has stopped working all of a sudden, the boiler condensate pipe could have frozen. Find out how to fix it and avoid it happening again.

1. High pressure: High boiler pressure may cause a water leak as your boiler tries to release excess pressure. The good news is that you can drain water from the radiators to restore optimal pressure. Read our simple, step-by-step guide on how to bleed your radiators.

2. High temperature: High boiler temperature can also cause your boiler’s temperature valve to leak water. This is a safety precaution to avoid boiler overheating. If your boiler temperature is too high, it’s best to call a heating specialist to inspect it.

3. Corrosion: Your boiler’s tank and connecting pipes may corrode over time, which may cause your boiler to leak water. Small scale corrosion can be fixed by replacing a few parts. However, if a large part of your boiler is corroded, you may need to replace your boiler.

4. Leaky pump: If the water pump is leaking, it may need to be re-sealed or replaced by a heating specialist.

1. Low water pressure: If your boiler pressure is lower than the ideal level, your boiler may begin to make unusual sounds. Check your pressure gauge to find out if your boiler is operating at the right pressure. If not, you can re-pressurise your boiler using a filling key or a filling hose.

2. Faulty pump: If the boiler’s pump is faulty, it should be resealed or replaced by a registered Gas Safe engineer.

3. Air: If there’s air in the central heating system, it may cause your boiler to become noisy. Try draining the radiators to see if the issues resolve itself. Don't worry, bleeding your radiators is quick and easy to do. Simply follow our easy step-by-step guide .

4. Limescale or sludge: Limescale and sludge can build up in your radiators over time, which could be a reason for your overheating or noisy boiler. You may need to have your system flushed which cleans out the debris that has developed over time. We recommend getting a heating expert to flush your system. A clogged-up heating system is likely to increase the pressure in your system causing your boiler to breakdown and leave you without heating or hot water – as well as higher repair and energy bills.