Certain basic external faults, such as bleeding radiators or using a filling loop to top up the water pressure, can be done by yourself, but anything that involves opening the boiler up must only be done by a professional Gas Safe boiler installer.
Whenever something breaks, there is always a temptation to try and fix whatever you can by yourself, partly to save yourself money or save yourself the hassle.
There are certain basic steps you can take to check your boiler, but because of the potential dangers of electricity, hot water, natural gas and the combination of the three, you should call an expert if you have any doubts.
To explain why, here is a brief guide to the law surrounding boiler repairs, what you can and cannot do to fix your boiler or your radiators, and when you could consider a replacement.
Can You Open Up Your Gas Boiler?
Unless you are a boiler engineer on the Gas Safe Register, you are legally not allowed to open your boiler and undertake any repairs involving the gas works.
The reasons for this are fairly self-explanatory; natural gas is extremely dangerous, can easily leak if repairs are done badly with little warning, can cause carbon monoxide poisoning in high enough quantities and can build up to the point that the spark from a light switch can start a fire.
Unlicensed boiler repair work voids your warranty, can void your insurance and can at best leave you significantly out of pocket, so you should take care not only to avoid doing intensive boiler work yourself but also to ensure that anyone who does work on your boiler is properly credentialed.
What Boiler Repair Work Can You Do Yourself?
In general, most work outside of the boiler casing and gas supply is legal, even if some of it is still more complex than others.
As with anything else, if you do not feel entirely comfortable and confident doing it yourself, get in touch with your boiler engineer, and they will walk you through the process.
- Bleeding Radiators – This removes cold air pockets and relieves stress on your heating system
- Checking the External Flue – Examining the boiler flue or condensate pipe for dirt, obstructions and ice
- Topping Up Water Pressure – You can do this without opening the boiler by using the built-in filling loop
- Cleaning The External Magnetic Sludge Filter – Although given that it is quite a messy job, many leave that to the professionals
- Testing Your Carbon Monoxide Detector – This ensures you are safe in case of leaks
- Resetting The Boiler – Using the buttons on the unit itself
What Boiler Repair Work Can You Not Do Yourself?
Anything that involves opening up your boiler, fixing internal components or testing the efficiency and safety of your boiler must be undertaken by someone with Gas Safe certification, as there are too many dangerous risks involved when managing sealed systems.
In particular, here are some of the most common boiler issues you cannot fix yourself:
- Boiler Leaks – These are typically caused by corrosion, faulty valves or broken seals, all of which can only be fixed by knowing the parts you need and opening up the boiler.
- Persistent Low Boiler Pressure – If the filling loop does not help restart your boiler, there could be a problem with the relief valve staying on or a leak somewhere in your system.
- No Hot Water At All – There are many causes for this, but if using the filling loop and bleeding the radiators does not help, it could be caused by a faulty thermostat or a broken heat exchanger.
- Unusual Noises – Banging, kettling, whistling or gurgling noises are often signs of a potential issue with the pump or the pipework, which needs a professional ot properly diagnose.
Can You Install A New Boiler Yourself?
Much like how you cannot repair your existing boiler yourself, you also cannot replace your existing boiler with a new model for many of the same reasons.
Most boiler manufacturers will not sell you a boiler if you are not properly accredited or you have not arranged installation, because installing a boiler, attaching the water and gas lines, and ensuring that everything works safely is so difficult to do yourself that it is effectively outright impossible.
There have been countless examples of people who have attempted repairs or replacements using online tutorials, only to find that their system is different enough for them to have caused so much damage that it costs more to fix the issues than it would have cost to go to a professional in the first place.