Winter is a time when your heating system is put to the test the most, and if your boiler happens to break, you want the peace of mind that an emergency gas engineer can provide that you will not be left out in the cold for too long.
Thankfully, a lot of the most common issues your boiler will face, such as issues with boiler pressure, thermostats, seals, leaks and even some more common component issues, can be fixed the same day in the hands of the right boiler engineer.
How are same-day repairs possible? What can complicate a boiler repair, and are same-day boiler replacements possible?
How Can Boiler Experts Fix A Boiler The Same Day?
A gas-safe registered boiler engineer is trained to work with a wide range of boilers, including conventional modern combi units and older, more unusual units designed with specific purposes in mind.
In most cases, there are a few common reasons why a boiler stops working, particularly in winter when it is being used more, is needed more and thus is put under greater strains than usual.
This helps them to narrow down the most likely issues, bring the most common replacement components that they need and provide a quick, safe and efficient fix.
What Will A Boiler Engineer Do When They Arrive?
Outside of gas emergencies, which will typically use a different process to remove the danger to life and property, boiler engineers will arrive at the property and use a systematic approach to check the most likely fault points.
After asking you about the issues you may have noticed, they will check the basics, such as ensuring that power is going to the boiler, that the controls work and what happens when the heating is supposed to come on or when you turn the taps.
Usually, these are the checks that an engineer will do when they arrive and see the boiler:
- Make sure a simple issue is not missed.
- Look for error codes, cross-reference them with the manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Inspect water levels and water pressure to ensure the safety shut-off has not been activated.
- Open the case and check key components.
- Look for visible signs of corrosion, blockages or leaks.
Once they find the issue, an engineer will get to work sourcing the parts required and making the necessary adjustments to ensure you have your boiler as soon as possible.
They will always let you know the issue, which part they are replacing, and anything you can do as a stopgap to restart your boiler if you have a similar issue. They will also test your hot water and heating to ensure they are working properly before they leave you to get on with your day.
How Long Do Typical Boiler Problems Take To Fix?
- Releasing boiler pressure/topping up the boiler – Less than 30 minutes.
- Replacing the boiler thermostat – Less than an hour.
- Pilot light repairs – Less than 90 minutes.
- Fixing a leak – Usually less than two hours, but it can depend on the location.
- Fixing or replacing a circuit board – Up to four hours, depending on the availability of parts.
- Fixing or replacing a broken heat exchanger – Up to five hours, but it can sometimes need a second visit.
What Can Make A Gas Boiler Repair More Difficult?
The expertise of boiler engineers can often hide the fact that boilers are sometimes remarkably complex pieces of machinery, and some boilers are far easier to repair than others.
Some boilers are hard to find, are blocked off entirely, or need some clearing up before an engineer can work around them, which can make them more difficult to repair and extend the length of time that they take to fix.
Similarly, a complex location relative to your boiler’s pipework can make it harder to diagnose some types of boiler issues, but the more they know about your boiler ahead of time, the less of it is needed to diagnose the issue, leaving more time to be spent solving the issue.
What Affects Gas Boiler Repair Times?
- Standard or non-standard units.
- How complex the problem is to fix.
- Availability of parts.
- Skill of the engineer.
- Boiler location.
How Long Can A Boiler Replacement Take?
Sometimes a boiler is beyond repair and would need to be replaced entirely. Whilst this can immediately lead to concerns that you will have to spend a long time in the cold, a like-for-like boiler swap can be fitted in less than six hours, assuming a suitable boiler is available and nothing needs to be adjusted.