When your boiler stops working or begins to behave unexpectedly, it can be stressful, especially during colder weather. Before booking a boiler repair in Gillingham, Sittingbourne, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Kent or Medway, there are a few safe and simple checks you can carry out at home. These steps will not fix serious issues, but they can help you understand whether the problem is minor or if a professional repair is genuinely needed.
Basic Checks You Can Do Before Calling For Repairs
Check The Boiler Pressure Gauge
Boiler pressure naturally rises and falls, but if it drops too low, the boiler may refuse to ignite. The gauge should generally sit around the 1 to 1.5 mark when the system is cold. If it is sitting well below this, that alone can trigger a shutdown. While some homeowners feel comfortable increasing the pressure using the filling loop, it is important not to overfill the system. If the pressure continues to fall after topping up, or if you are unsure how to do it safely, it is better to stop and seek help.
Look For Any Error Or Fault Codes
Modern boilers are designed to tell you when something is wrong. A fault code on the display can indicate issues with ignition, sensors, temperature readings, or internal components. These codes are extremely helpful for engineers, as they narrow down potential causes quickly. Before calling for repairs, write down the exact code and whether it appeared suddenly or after repeated attempts to use the boiler. This information allows the engineer to bring the correct tools or parts to the visit.
Make Sure Your Thermostat Is Set Correctly
Thermostats commonly create the impression that the boiler has stopped working. Temperature settings may have been changed, the batteries may have run out, or the device may have lost communication with the boiler. A quick check to ensure it is switched on, powered, and set higher than the current room temperature can often restore heating. For wireless models, make sure the thermostat is still paired with the boiler and has not been moved too far from its usual location.
Confirm The Boiler Has Power
If your boiler appears completely inactive with no lights or display, the problem may be with the power supply rather than the boiler itself. Check the fused spur next to the boiler to ensure it has not been switched off by accident. Look at your fuse board for any tripped switches. Also, check if any recent power cuts or electrical work may have affected the boiler. A simple power issue is one of the quickest problems to resolve without needing a repair visit.
Try A Single Safe Reset
Most boilers include a reset button that can be pressed once to clear temporary faults. This is useful after events like pressure changes or brief disruptions in power. However, the reset button should only be used once. If the boiler refuses to restart, displays the same fault code again, or shuts down repeatedly, further attempts will not solve the problem and could mask a deeper issue. At that point, it is important to stop and contact a qualified engineer.
Inspect Valves, Timers And Heating Controls
Sometimes the boiler itself is not the source of the issue. Radiator valves that are turned off, heating schedules that have been adjusted, or even a timer that has switched to a different mode can all give the impression of a boiler fault. Spending a few minutes checking your heating controls, system timers, and radiator valves can often reveal the reason why your home is not warming up as expected.
Check For Water Flow Issues
Some boilers react to changes in water flow, particularly combination boilers that supply hot water directly from the mains. If multiple taps are running, or if a stop tap has been partially turned off, the boiler may not receive enough flow to activate. Check your stop tap position and ensure no unusual restrictions are affecting the water supply.
Know When To Stop Troubleshooting
While these checks are useful, it is important to recognise when a problem is beyond simple home checks. If you can smell gas, hear ongoing banging noises, see water leaking from the boiler, or notice that the boiler locks out repeatedly, you should stop immediately and call a professional. These signs point to issues that require expert attention.
Need Boiler Repairs in Gillingham, Sittingbourne, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and Medway?
Aquatech offers reliable boiler repair services across the local area. Whether it is a sudden breakdown, an intermittent fault, or a boiler that refuses to restart, our heating engineers are ready to help. Call us on 01634 768050 or 075400 53343 or fill out our contact form to schedule your boiler repair visit.
