At the first sign of central heating problems, some homeowners call out a plumber for problems they could have easily solved themselves. By contrast, others attempt to tinker away at their system when a professional is required.
So when is it time to call a professional Wirral plumbing outfit?
Although it is relatively common for your central heating system to need a few tweaks after being turned off during the summer, some problems are less common and require input from an accredited plumbing company.
Whether you’re comfortable with your DIY skills or not, there’s no need to be afraid of your Wirral central heating system. Below we discuss three common central heating problems, how to fix them, and when you should probably call a professional instead.
Your Radiators and Hot Water Taps Have All Gone Cold
If your radiators and taps have gone cold and won’t warm up, your thermostat, the motorised diverter valve, or pump could be to blame.
First, check if your thermostat is on and set between 18 and 22 degrees. If nothing changes, check the programmer and ensure that the hot water (HV) and central heating (CH) are both on. If your system is not showing signs that it’s receiving electricity, the heating fuse could have blown.
Should nothing change, check the motorised diverter valve and turn it off and on. The valve is located next to your boiler and controls the flow of heated water in the system.
If the problem persists, your pump could be faulty. Turn the pump off and check for mechanical failure or blockage. If the pipe is clogged with dirt, a thorough clean could get your radiator and taps working again.
Trapped air could also be causing the pump to malfunction. You can resolve this by turning the small nut near the pump. Turn the nut until fluid comes out, and then close it again. Once you’ve checked the pump for mechanical failure, clogged dirt, and trapped air, switch the pump back on.
If none of these fixes work, you should call a professional, such as Wirral Plumbers, immediately as there is likely a more significant issue at hand.
Only the Bottom of the Radiator is Warm
The simplest way to repair a radiator that is only warm at the bottom is to bleed the radiator. You will need a radiator key for this repair, which you can purchase at your local DIY shop.
Start by switching off the central heating and place a cloth underneath the radiator valve. Use the radiator key to turn the square brass nut located on the radiator valve (usually found on the radiator’s top corner). Turn the nut anticlockwise to 45-90 degrees or until you can hear air escape from the radiator.
Once the air has escaped, it will usually be followed by water. So once a few drops of water start coming out, close the valve by turning your radiator key clockwise.
The Boiler is Making Strange Sounds
There are few things as annoying as a persistent, odd sound of a boiler. Your boiler will make a ‘kettling’ noise when its pilot light is first ignited. But if the sound continues, trapped air, limited water supply, or a clog could be to blame.
First, turn off the boiler to see if trapped air is causing the noise, then try to locate the screw causing the air-bleed. Once you’ve found the screw, vent any excess air.
The second thing to check is that your feed-and-expansion tank is getting enough water if you have a system or traditional boiler. If the problem persists, check your system for any clogs or sludge build-up. Power flushing your system might be in order to resolve noises caused by a clogged system.
When Should You Call Wirral Plumbers For Heating System Repair?
Many common heating problems simply can’t be fixed with a quick DIY tinker. Whether your overflow won’t stop, there’s a loss of system pressure or only the top of your radiator is heating up, only a Gas Safe Registered engineer can guarantee a proper repair every time.
Although it’s tempting to perform DIY repairs to your central heating system, it could actually end up costing you more in future. Making the wrong decision could result in a severe system malfunction, a flooding incident, or worse. All of these will be costly to repair, so save yourself time and money by calling in the experts.
At Wirral Plumbers, we always encourage our clients to call us whenever a problem occurs. We have been providing plumbing services to commercial and residential clients in Wirral, Chester, and Liverpool since 1998. Over the past 20 years, we have seen just how wrong a quick DIY job can go and encourage our clients to save money by calling us, the experts, instead.
Our plumbers are City & Guilds Qualified, which ensures that you receive high-quality service every time. Contact us today at 0780 3955 493 or email us at mike@wirralplumbers.com to resolve any of your common Wirral central heating problems.
