5 Signs Your Boiler Is About To Die

We don’t realise how much we rely on our boilers until they break down. One minute, we’re sitting warm and pretty in our homes next to a radiator belting out heat, the next we’re shivering under multiple blankets because the boiler is about to die. To avoid this scenario, it’s a good idea to pay close attention to potential signs your boiler is about to die. Catching them early enough helps you avoid living in the cold for days or weeks on end. So, what are the signs your boiler will soon die? Let’s take a look. 

Bad Smells

One clear sign your boiler is on the brink of a catastrophic failure is bad smells. Ideally, it should smell of anything, but if it starts to stink, you’ll want to turn it off and get it repaired immediately. 

If there’s a gas leak or overheating, you might smell a burning smell or the smell of rotten eggs. You should treat this symptom as a priority. Gas in your home is a health and fire risk. 

Strange Noises

You could also have a problem with your boiler if you can hear strange noises during operation. Normally, boilers shouldn’t make any banging or clicking sounds. If they do, it is indicative of a serious problem with the internal mechanisms. 

Don’t allow your boiler to keep running while making these noises. It could create an even worse fault that requires engineers to replace your boiler entirely. 

Companies like Housewarm deal with strange noises coming from boilers all the time. Usually, it’s a look screw or some sort of debris inside the unit and an easy fix. However, it can also be indicative of a more serious problem. 

High Energy Usage

Another sign your boiler is on the brink of failure is high energy consumption. Using more gas or electricity than usual suggests that the unit can no longer operate as efficiently as before, a sign of wear and tear, and age. Internal components aren’t working as effectively as before. 

High energy use could also indicate a more minor problem, such as issues with the thermostat. If it can’t gauge the temperature properly, it will increase the energy the boiler supplies to get to the desired heat level. 

Leaks

Your boiler might also be in trouble if it keeps leaking all the time. Healthy boilers should never leak, but those that do might have problems with internal piping. 

The main causes of boiler leaks are cracked heat exchangers and damaged flues. However, faulty valves and even broken pipes can lead to leaks. 

Unfortunately, these leaks are electrical hazards and can make your home dangerous. Again, you’ll want to turn off the boiler and call an engineer to fix it. 

The Pilot Light Is Turning Off

Lastly, the pilot light turning off is another sign your boiler is about to die. It could indicate an issue with a thermocouple. 

The good news is that pilot light problems aren’t usually serious and you can repair them without having to replace the whole boiler. It’s often a quick fix.