Common boiler faults
Most boiler breakdowns fall into a fairly predictable set of faults. Pressure loss: the system has a slow leak somewhere and the boiler trips on low pressure. Ignition failure: the boiler tries to light but doesn't, usually a faulty igniter, PCB, or gas valve issue. No hot water but heating works: a failed diverter valve on a combi, or a cylinder thermostat on a system boiler. Strange banging or kettling: sludge buildup or limescale on the heat exchanger.
We diagnose properly before ordering parts. Replacing an igniter on a hunch when the actual fault is a PCB means two visits and a wasted part. An hour with the right test equipment is faster and cheaper in the long run.
If the boiler has given up entirely in cold weather, see our emergency callout service for out-of-hours faults.
Repair or replace?
It's an honest question and worth asking directly. A boiler that's eight years old with a failed diverter valve is almost certainly worth repairing; a fifteen-year-old boiler on its third major fault probably isn't. The calculation is: cost of the repair, likely lifespan afterwards, versus the cost of a new boiler and the efficiency gain.
We'll give you a straight view. If a repair is the right call, we'll fix it and be done. If the numbers don't add up, we'll say so and give you a quote for a replacement at the same visit, so you're not making the decision blind. See boiler installation for more on replacement options.
Keeping up with annual servicing is the best way to avoid reaching this conversation unexpectedly. A service catches problems early when they're cheap to fix.
Emergency boiler repair
A boiler that stops working in December isn't an inconvenience. It's a household emergency. We take emergency boiler callouts across Dorset, Devon and Somerset, including evenings and weekends. We carry a good stock of common parts for popular boiler models, which means we can fix a lot of faults in a single visit rather than having to come back when parts arrive.
Call us on 07984 856177. We'll be straight about whether we can get to you and when. No vague promises, no call centres. You speak to us directly.
What our customers say
"Replaced an old boiler that other firms wanted to write off. Explained everything clearly, honest about what needed doing and what didn't. Genuine local trade business."
Chard · Checkatrade"Came out first thing the morning after we called about a leaking boiler. Sorted it in under an hour, cleaned up after himself, fair price. Couldn't ask for more."
Axminster · Checkatrade