A boiler is a key part of any home. It’s easy to forget how hard it works for you and your family so here’s what you need to know if your boiler is running the way it should be as well as some tell tale signs that your boiler might be dangerous…
What can I do?
The first thing to remember that only a Gas Safe registered engineer is allowed to work on a boiler. This means that you should never under any circumstances try and attempt any kind of repair yourself. Now that has been covered, let’s go over what you can look out for safely, that can help a heating engineer diagnose the problem quickly.
What should I be looking out for?
If you or a family member smell gas or fumes at any point, turn the gas off at its source and call a professional. This suggest that your boiler has a leak somewhere. Gas is dangerous because it doesn’t always demonstrate its effects straight away, so we advice you act quickly if you smell gas.
Gas leaks can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Also know as ‘the silent killer’, according to uSwitch, carbon monoxide has resulted in 31 reported deaths over the last 3 years. The reason that it is so dangerous is because it is odorless, invisible and colourless which makes it very difficult to detect by the human eye or nose. We highly recommend that you get a carbon monoxide detector, as these act as a reliable way to know if you or your home is in danger.
If you notice that your boiler’s pilot light seems to continually keep going out or that it has a yellow flame, then this is another sign that your boiler is not operating correctly.
If you or anyone in your home reports recurring headaches or nausea when the boiler is on or when you are inside the house, If these symptoms occur, leave the house and see if they persist, then this can also be a sign that your boiler could be dangerous.
It’s important to remember that having a faulty boiler doesn’t mean that you have a dangerous boiler. All boilers need to be maintained correctly and that is why boilers require annual servicing. It is not only to make sure that they are working as they should be, but also to make sure that they are safe for you and your home. If you see any of the problems that we have mentioned today, we recommend that you get in contact with a heating engineer immediately.
Looking for a new boiler in Leeds?
We know that homeowners need help to keep their homes warm and safe. If you have any questions or need a qualified Gas Safe heating engineer to help you with your home, get in touch today!
