Boiler services exist to minimise the problems that can occur through regular use.
Sometimes, the service itself may cause a small problem, one that can either be easily fixed with a revisit or that might expose a bigger, hidden fault.
Let’s take a look at why you might find your boiler leaking after a service.
Why is my boiler leaking water after a service?
The good news is that there isn’t necessarily anything broken. It may simply be the case that your engineer replaced a part in a way that doesn’t quite seal, or that broke during the act of being taken out and put back in.
This could be a joint in the pipes or a seal. A faulty installation might be the original cause for this, making it hard for the engineer to replace a part in the same spot once it’s been taken out. It’s important to understand a simple mistake should be a straightforward fix, and a quick call to the engineer to explain will likely have them returning to rectify any mistake made quickly.
Is a leaking boiler serious?
It depends on the nature of the leak, but most leaks caused after a boiler service will be minor. A bucket or something similar to catch the water until an engineer can come and help may be all you need.
If the pressure in your boiler is dropping as a result of the leak, it would be best not to keep topping up the system and to make do until you can have the problem fixed. Topping up your system means putting extra pressure back into a circuit that you know has a weakness and this could worsen the leak.
Can I use my boiler if it’s leaking?
It’s best not to use your boiler if a leak presents itself. Turn off your central heating and don’t use any fixtures that draw hot water, such as a mains shower, until a remedy has been found.
If you’re able to identify your isolation valve, you may find that stopping the water feed to the boiler helps the leak in the meantime while preserving the cold water feed to the rest of the house. However, if you have doubts about how to go about this, it may be best to leave everything alone until help arrives.
Grab a bucket and some towels and catch the water as best you can in the meantime.
Can a leaking boiler explode?
If the leak is being caused by an excess of pressure in your system, then this is a possible risk. The pressure gauge on your boiler will indicate if this is the case. The average ideal pressure is between 1 and 2 bar on the gauge – anything more with hot water escaping the system may explain why your boiler is leaking after a service.
Boiler leak repairs
If your boiler is leaking after a service, or even if it’s just started leaking out of the blue, call Bumblebee’s expert team to get it fixed. We’ll send somebody out to help and give you advice to manage the problem in the meantime.
If you need us, call on 01925 568281 or contact us through our website.
