If your heater is not heating up, the pressure in the boiler is too low. Then the solution can sometimes be simple: a matter of topping up the boiler. You can easily contract this out to one of our fitters. But in many cases, you can also manage to bring the boiler up to standard yourself.
Should your stove not get hot, the boiler pressure is too low. Then the solution can sometimes be simple: a matter of topping up the central heating boiler. You can easily outsource this to one of our technicians. But in many cases, you can also manage to get the boiler back up to standard yourself.
How to top up your boiler yourself
Switch off the boiler. So unplug it. Next, you need: a filling hose. This is a kind of garden hose with two 'connection sides'. A bucket, towel or mop, are also handy to have ready. Connect the filling hose to the boiler's filling tap. Then connect the end of the hose to the water tap. Fill the hose with water so that there is almost no air in it. The pressure on the boiler should be between 1.5 and 2.0 bar. Open the filling tap until you reach the desired level. You can read this on the analogue pressure gauge. Although more modern boilers often also have a digital pressure gauge.
Never fill the boiler with more than 2 bar. Some older systems and pipes cannot even handle 1.5 bar. If you are not sure, always call in a central heating engineer. We have a nationwide network of central heating mechanics you can call on day and night. Recognised professionals who are adept at filling, repairing and bleeding any central heating system.
Have you refilled the boiler and the pressure is between 1.5 and 2 bar. First close the filling tap again. Then close the water tap. This will prevent unnecessary air from entering the system. It is then wise to bleed the central heating system.
You've probably heard crazy bubbling noises coming from the heating system. This is usually because there is air in the radiators. This is often because air was added during the refilling of your boiler. Normally, your combination boiler and radiators is a closed system. This is because your expansion vessel compensates for any evaporation of water in your pipes. Sometimes, unfortunately, you have to give the installation a hand yourself.
Bleeding can be a tedious job. Before you start: turn off the thermostat and turn the heaters to their lowest setting, just to be sure.
What else do you need? A vent spanner and a cloth. When bleeding radiators, work from top to bottom. The attic first, then head towards the ground floor. Take the radiator key and look for the connection on the side of the radiator.Turn the key on the connection: this is how air comes out of your radiator. In the process, some water may also come out of your radiator: so hold the cloth under the connection. When you feel that no more air is coming out of your radiator, you can turn back the key.This radiator is ready; so you can open the tap again! When you have bled all radiators this way, you can turn up the thermostat again!
