Hiss, Gurgle and Wheeze: Three Signs Your Boiler Is Struggling
Boilers tend to be taken from granted. They sit quietly in a corner and quietly get on with heating the house and providing hot water on tap, so to speak. However, we soon know about it when they go wrong.
If you have a gas boiler, it is so important to check for warning signs that it is not working properly, such as flames being yellow instead of blue or black marks around the boiler. Gas appliances also need servicing and checking annually, according to the Gas Safe Register.
Often a boiler will start making strange noises to alert us that something may be wrong. So what are the symptoms and what should you do?
Why Is the Boiler Hissing?
If you have a boiler which is hissing constantly, it could be a leak. Combi boilers may make a noise when they are firing up because you have turned on the hot water tap, or it may also fire up to top up a hot-water store. However, if it is constantly hissing, it may be constantly firing up because you have a water leak.
If you live in a hard-water area, it could be a build-up of limescale.
What to Do If the Boiler Gurgles
If the boiler is gurgling rather than hissing, this could also be a build-up of limescale which is preventing the boiler from doing its job of heating water. Gurgling could also mean the boiler has air in it.
In winter it may be that outside condensation traps or discharge pipes have frozen, which stops the water from circulating properly through the boiler system.
What Action Should You Take If the Boiler Wheezes?
If the boiler wheezes when it fires up, then it could indicate serious problems. It may be that the pump needs replacing or, again, it could indicate a build-up of limescale.
Your noisy boiler may be repairable, but sometimes it is more economical to buy a new one. Which? says you should leave installing a new boiler to the professionals and make sure they are on the Gas Safe Register.
For Haslemere boilers which need servicing, repairing or replacing, you can contact a Gas Safe registered company such as www.1stadvanced.co.uk.
If you experience problems, it is best to call in the experts as soon as possible.
