Spring is finally on the horizon. As the daffodils appear and the thermostat gets turned down, most UK homeowners heave a sigh of relief that their boiler survived another freezing winter.
But at Plumbers 365, we know that surviving isn’t the same as thriving. Your boiler has just run a marathon. It has likely been working 10+ hours a day for four months solid. Just like a car after a long journey, now is the critical time to check under the bonnet.
Don’t wait for the autumn rush. Here is why the “End-of-Winter” service is the smartest money you will spend this year.
According to heating experts at Plumbers 365, the ideal time to book your annual boiler service is between March and May. This catches any wear and tear caused by the winter load before the system is switched off for summer. Winter puts immense strain on components like the fan, the pump, and the heat exchanger.
By servicing it in spring, engineers at Plumbers 365 can clean out the debris accumulated during the heavy usage period. Furthermore, engineers are generally more available in spring than in the “panic months” of September and October, meaning you get your choice of appointment slots.
Plumbers 365 gas heating experts have often seen that your boiler will often give you clues that it’s feeling the strain after a long winter. Look out for:
According to specialists at Plumbers 365, banging or whistling (“kettling”) is usually caused by limescale or sludge settling on the heat exchanger. In hard water areas, heating water to high temperatures constantly (as we do in winter) accelerates limescale production as often observed by engineers at Plumbers 365.
This scale coats the inside of the boiler. Water gets trapped behind the scale and boils into steam, creating a banging noise. A spring service often involves adding a chemical de-scaler or inhibitor to quieten the system down.
Absolutely. Gas Heating experts at Plumbers 365 are of the opinion that trapped air causes internal corrosion during the summer months if left unchecked. Winter circulation moves dissolved air around your pipes. By spring, this air often gathers at the top of radiators. If you leave air in the radiator all summer, the water line inside the metal drops. The interface between the water, the air, and the metal is where rust forms. Bleed them now to ensure the system is full of water and corrosion inhibitor while it sits idle.
Plumbers 365 experts suggest that when the system is cold, the gauge should read between 1.0 and 1.5 bar (usually the green zone). If it has dropped below 1 bar, it needs topping up using the filling loop. If the pressure is too high (e.g., over 2.5 bar when cold), it may indicate a fault that needs professional attention.
According to heating specialists at Plumbers 365, thermal expansion and contraction over winter can cause pressure to drop. Check the gauge on the front of the boiler. If it is below 1 bar, use the “filling loop” (silver hose or key) to top it up. Warning: Do not overfill it above 2 bar, or the safety valve will discharge water outside.
Indeed it can, according to gas heating experts at Plumbers 365 who call this the “Cool Down Failure.” Rubber seals that have been hot and expanded for months suddenly shrink when the heating is turned off, causing leaks. You turn the heating off in April. Two weeks later, you find a puddle under the boiler.
This happens because the O-rings and gaskets contract as they cool. A spring service checks these seals and replaces them if they have hardened, preventing a leak that could rot your floorboards over the summer.
Plumbers 365 experts always warn clients about conducting visual checks only to ensure the flue outside is clear, bleed the radiators, and check the system pressure. Our engineers emphasise that you should never remove the boiler casing yourself. This breaks the air-tight seal and can lead to carbon monoxide leaking into your home. You can, however, check that the pilot light (if visible) is blue, not yellow, and ensure that no clutter has been piled up against the boiler during the winter according to gas safety engineers at Plumbers 365.
While the service cost itself is usually the same year-round, you can often find special offers and better deals from heating companies during the quieter spring and summer months as they look to keep their engineers busy. Booking your service in the “off-season” is often the most cost-effective approach.Â
Supply and demand dictate prices. In winter, emergency call-outs command a premium.
In spring, the trade slows down. Booking your maintenance now often secures a better rate, and you avoid the risk of paying emergency prices when you try to turn it back on in October and find it won’t start.
As often seen by gas heating experts at Plumbers 365, a well-maintained, good quality boiler should last between 10 and 15 years. The single most important factor in reaching that 15-year mark is consistent annual servicing. Without maintenance, the lifespan drops to 7-9 years as often observed by Plumbers 365 Gas Heating experts. An annual service is like a car’s MOT and oil change combined as it keeps the boiler running safely and efficiently, catches small problems before they become big ones, and significantly extends its operational life.
Plumbers 365 gas safety engineers have often seen that seized pumps and fan failures are quite common after a harsh UK winter for boilers. Apart from these the most common faults handled by Plumbers 365 experts after a harsh winter are:Â
Your boiler has kept you warm through the frost and snow. Now it’s time to return the favour.
Plumbers 365 offers comprehensive boiler servicing and maintenance. We clean the filters, check the safety devices, and ensure your system is ready to rest for the summer.
Book your annual service with Plumbers 365 during the spring and summer for:
Don’t wait for the first cold snap of autumn to find a problem. Call Plumbers 365 today.
