gas boiler maintenance

[lesbirch]

I belong to the 'if it isn't broken don't fix it' school. Annual professional inspections or other preventative maintenance measures are not part of my life. However I am always on the alert for any evidence of malfunctioning appliances.

In a pub discussion on this matter I was in a minority of one when it came to applying this to gas c.h. boilers. ( we were considering balanced flue types where the inlet/ outlet is easily visible on a daily basis)

I believe it is compulsary to have inspections in rented property. But am I being unreasonable (or suicidal) in continuing with my policy in an owner-occupied property?




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[kevplumb]

not really a good idea as if it breaks it might kill you before you know it
your call

 

[ChrisR]

No.

 

[brumylad]

might be a good idea to check the inhibitor in your CH system still works.

I'm not sure how this is best done on an economical basis but if you have a vented system (header tank) you could submerge a glass jar containing an iron nail and leave it for a couple of weeks to see if it goes rusty.

Careful not to scald yourself

 

[kevplumb]

failing that have the first cuppa of the day sat under the flue
and let us know
oh yes you wont
ask the missus

 

[lesbirch]

hmmmm....

Exactly what faults are all these inspections exposing?

None of my acquaintances have ever had a fault reported from an inspection. Whenever faults have occurred they have all been failsafe - the boiler has stopped working ( I am only talking balanced flue)

 

[ChrisR]

Depends on the boiler. SOme need fan cleaning now and again, ignition electrodes readjusting perhaps. I agree, look after the water - tip a new bottle of inhibitor in the tank every couple of years or three.