Your boiler's acting up again. Making that weird noise, losing pressure, or just flat-out refusing to heat the house on the coldest night of the year. We see it all the time across Farnham, Guildford, and Farnborough , and honestly, most boiler problems get worse because of what homeowners do (or don't do) before calling us.
So let's fix that. Here are the seven biggest mistakes we see when it comes to boiler repair in Farnham, and more importantly, how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Ignoring the Annual Service
This one's at the top for a reason. Most people think "if it's working, why pay for a service?" But here's the thing , your boiler doesn't suddenly break down. It gives you warnings for weeks or months, and an annual service catches those early.
We had a client in Guildford last winter who skipped their service for three years. The boiler seemed fine, until it wasn't. Carbon monoxide alarm went off at 2am, family evacuated, emergency callout. Could've been prevented with a £90 service.
The Fix: Book your annual boiler service every September or October, before the cold weather hits. It's not just about ticking boxes , a Gas Safe engineer will spot minor issues (worn seals, pressure drops, limescale buildup) before they become expensive emergencies.
Mistake #2: Trying DIY Fixes on Gas Components
Look, we love a good DIY project. But boilers? That's where the line gets drawn. Every month we get calls from Farnham homeowners who've "just tried to adjust the gas valve" or "replaced a part from eBay" and now the boiler won't fire at all.
Gas work is illegal without a Gas Safe registration for a reason. One wrong move and you're looking at carbon monoxide leaks, gas explosions, or a boiler that's completely bricked.
The Fix: If your issue involves gas supply, pilot lights, burners, or any component inside the boiler casing, call a Gas Safe engineer immediately. You can check pressure, reset the boiler, and bleed radiators yourself , but leave everything else to the professionals. Need help fast? Give us a call on 01252 982088 and we'll talk you through what's safe.
Mistake #3: Not Knowing Your Boiler Pressure
This is the most common call we get. "My boiler's broken!" they say. We arrive, check the pressure gauge, and it's sitting at 0.3 bar. Your boiler isn't broken , it just needs re-pressurising.
Boiler pressure should sit between 1 and 1.5 bar when the system's cold. Drop below 1 bar and most modern boilers will lock out as a safety feature. It's not a fault, it's doing its job.
The Fix: Learn where your pressure gauge is (usually on the front of the boiler, it's a round dial with a needle). Check it monthly. If it's low, re-pressurise using the filling loop (that's the braided hose usually tucked underneath the boiler). Your manual will show you how, or there are dozens of YouTube videos. If pressure keeps dropping weekly, that's when you call us , there's likely a leak somewhere in the system.
Mistake #4: Waiting Too Long for Emergency Repairs
Boiler making a banging noise? Smelling gas? Radiators stone cold in the middle of January? Don't wait until Monday morning to sort it.
We get it, emergency callouts cost more than standard appointments. But delaying a repair usually makes the problem worse (and more expensive). That small leak becomes a flood. That strange noise becomes a seized pump. That pressure drop becomes a cracked heat exchanger.
The Fix: If your boiler's completely dead, leaking water, or you smell gas, treat it as an emergency. For everything else, book a same-day or next-day appointment if you can. In Farnham and surrounding areas, we offer emergency plumbing and boiler repair , and honestly, sorting it fast usually saves you money in the long run.
Mistake #5: Not Bleeding Your Radiators
Cold spots on radiators? Rooms that never quite warm up? Nine times out of ten, it's trapped air in the system. And yet so many people assume the boiler's at fault and book an expensive engineer visit.
Bleeding radiators is simple, takes five minutes, and costs nothing.
The Fix: Once a year (or whenever you notice cold spots), bleed your radiators. Turn the heating on, wait for radiators to warm up, then turn the heating off. Use a radiator key to open the bleed valve at the top of each radiator , you'll hear a hissing sound as air escapes. Close the valve as soon as water starts dripping out. Done. Check your boiler pressure afterwards and top it up if needed.
If bleeding doesn't fix the cold spots, then call us. Could be sludge buildup or circulation issues that need a powerflush.
Mistake #6: Skipping the Powerflush on an Old System
You've got a brand new boiler installed. Spent a few grand. And six months later, it's making noises, losing efficiency, or breaking down repeatedly. What gives?
Old radiators and pipework are full of sludge, rust, and limescale. If you fit a shiny new boiler to a dirty system, all that gunk gets pumped straight through the new heat exchanger. We've seen boilers fail within a year because the installer skipped the powerflush to save time.
The Fix: When you're getting a new boiler installed, ask about a powerflush. It costs a few hundred quid extra, but it'll protect your investment and keep your boiler running efficiently for years. If you've got an older system (10+ years), a powerflush every 5-6 years is solid maintenance.
Mistake #7: Choosing the Cheapest Quote Without Checking Gas Safe Registration
Last one, and it's important. We've lost count of the "repair jobs" we've been called to after someone hired a "mate who does boilers" or went with the cheapest quote on Facebook.
Here's the reality , if someone's significantly cheaper than everyone else, there's a reason. They're either not Gas Safe registered, cutting corners, or using cheap parts that'll fail in six months. And when it goes wrong, your home insurance won't cover it because the work wasn't legal.
The Fix: Always, always check Gas Safe registration before hiring anyone. You can verify registration numbers on the Gas Safe Register website. Get at least two quotes, ask about warranties, and check reviews. Yes, it takes longer. Yes, it might cost a bit more. But you'll sleep better knowing your family's safe and the work's done right.
So, What Now?
Most boiler problems in Farnham aren't actually that complicated : they're just made worse by delay, DIY disasters, or skipping basic maintenance. Keep on top of your annual service, know when to call a professional, and don't ignore the warning signs.
And if your boiler's playing up right now? Call us on 01252 982088 : we cover Farnham, Guildford, Farnborough and everywhere in between. We'll talk you through what's happening, give you honest advice, and if you need a repair, we'll get it sorted fast.
No drama. No dodgy fixes. Just proper boiler repair from Gas Safe engineers who actually care about getting it right.