New Boiler Installation in Lancashire & Greater Manchester

The Complete Homeowner & Landlord Guide

GAS TECH PLUMBERS LTD – Gas Safe Registered Engineers

A boiler is the beating heart of your home’s heating system. When it works properly, you barely notice it. When it doesn’t, the effects are immediate — no heating, no hot water, error codes, strange noises, and rising stress.

This guide explains the most common boiler problems, what you can safely check yourself, and when you must call a qualified Gas Safe engineer. It’s written for homeowners and landlords across Lancashire & Greater Manchester and reflects real-world repair experience pasted.

Important Safety Notice

⚠️ Anything involving gas, combustion, flues, or removing the boiler casing must only be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Never attempt to dismantle or tamper with internal boiler components yourself pasted.

1. No Heating or No Hot Water

Common Symptoms

• Boiler runs but radiators stay cold

• Heating works but no hot water (or vice versa)

• Boiler runs but temperature never increases

Likely Causes

• Thermostat or programmer faults

• Low boiler pressure

• Air in the system

• Diverter or motorised valve failure

Safe Checks You Can Do

• Check thermostat settings and batteries

• Confirm heating/hot water schedules

• Check boiler pressure (should be 1.0–1.5 bar when cold)

• Ensure radiator valves are open

When to Call an Engineer

• No heating and no hot water

• Pressure drops repeatedly

• Suspected internal valve faults pasted

2. Low Boiler Pressure

Symptoms

• Pressure below 1 bar

• Boiler locking out

• Heating cutting in and out

Common Causes

• Small system leaks

• Recently bled radiators

• Faulty expansion vessel or PRV

Safe Checks

• Look for visible leaks around radiators

• Check pressure relief pipe outside

• Top up pressure only if confident and following the manual

Call an Engineer If

• Pressure drops frequently

• No visible leaks but pressure loss continues pasted

3. Boiler Keeps Switching Off (Lockouts)

Possible Causes

• Low pressure

• Poor circulation or sludge

• Overheating

• Sensor or flue issues

What You Can Check

• Pressure level

• Bleed radiators

• Check condensate pipe in cold weather

Call an Engineer If

• Error codes repeat

• Boiler bangs or kettles

• Overheating is suspected pasted

4. Frozen Condensate Pipe (Very Common in Winter)

Symptoms

• Boiler stops during freezing weather

• Fault codes related to condensate

• Gurgling noises

Safe Thawing Method

• Locate external condensate pipe

• Pour warm (not boiling) water over frozen sections

• Reset boiler once thawed

Prevention

• Proper insulation

• Improved pipe routing by an engineer if recurring pasted

5. Radiators Not Heating Properly

Common Issues

• Cold at top → trapped air

• Cold at bottom → sludge

• Uneven heating → balancing issues

Safe Fixes

• Bleed radiators

• Check valves are open

• Light system balancing

Call an Engineer If

• Sludge is suspected

• System hasn’t been cleaned for years pasted

6. Strange Noises (Kittling, Banging, Gurgling)

Causes

• Air in system

• Limescale in heat exchanger

• Sludge

• Loose pipework

Safe Checks

• Bleed radiators

• Check pressure

• Inspect visible pipe fixings

Engineer Needed When

• Kittling persists

• Loud bangs occur on start up/shutdown pasted

7. Boiler Leaks

Symptoms

• Water under boiler

• Pressure dropping

• Drips from joints

⚠️ Never remove the boiler casing. Internal leaks must be repaired by a Gas Safe engineer.

Call an engineer immediately for internal leaks or pressure relief discharge pasted.

8. Ignition or Pilot Light Failure

Possible Causes

• No gas supply

• Faulty ignition components

• Flue or burner issues

Safe Checks

• Check other gas appliances

• Try one reset only

🚨 If you smell gas: turn off supply, ventilate, and call the emergency gas number immediately pasted.

9. Boiler Error Codes

What You Can Do

• Note the exact code

• Check the manual

• Check pressure, controls, power, condensate

Call an Engineer If

• Codes repeat

• Code relates to gas, sensors, pump, or flame detection pasted

10. Preventing Boiler Problems

Annual Boiler Servicing

• Safety checks

• Component cleaning

• Performance testing

• Warranty protection

System Protection

• Magnetic filters

• Corrosion inhibitor

Regular Home Checks

• Monthly pressure checks

• Listen for noise

• Insulate condensate pipe pasted

Final Advice from GAS TECH PLUMBERS LTD

Understanding boiler symptoms helps you:

• Fix simple issues safely

• Explain faults clearly to engineers

• Prevent small problems becoming major breakdowns

👉 If it involves gas, flame, internal components, or removing the casing — always call a qualified professional.

Need Professional Boiler Help in Lancashire & Greater Manchester?

📍 Serving: Burnley, Blackburn, Preston, Bolton, Bury, Oldham & surrounding areas📞 Call: 01282 914044🌐 Website: www.gastechplumbers.co.uk

We provide:

• Boiler installations

• Boiler repairs

• Annual boiler servicing

• Landlord Gas Safety Certificates (CP12)

• Full plumbing services