A boiler leaking water needs immediate attention from a heating engineer as it could lead to serious damage to your boiler, plumbing system and home. There are some common culprits that cause water to leak from a boiler system, such as corroded pipes, high pressure and loose joints. If your boiler was only installed recently, the leak could be down to poor installation. Should you spot even the slightest leak, contact a heating engineer straight away. The water could lead to corrosion, rust or cause electrical parts to malfunction - causing more problems and hassle than you want. And not to mention how expensive it could get if you leave the leak unattended. Continue reading this blog to see why your boiler has a leak and how you deal with the problem at hand.

If you’ve landed on this blog article, chances are your boiler is leaking. While you shouldn't attempt to fix the problem yourself, you can take a few steps to prevent more water leaking into your home:

• Turn off the water supply
• Switch off the heating
• Wipe up any water
• Contact a qualified engineer (contact a Gas Safe registered engineer)

Why is your boiler leaking water?

Now let's go over the reason why your boiler is leaking. Well, there are several reasons why water might be leaking from your boiler and the root cause can often be determined by where the water is coming from. Below are the common reasons for a leaking boiler system:

Wear and tear

Just like anything, boilers don't last forever and can wear out over time. If your boiler is older than 10 years, it's probably time to get a new one installed. This will not only be much less likely to leak but it also will increase the energy efficiency of your home, helping you to save  money in the process. To get the best boiler for your home, contact us today!

Loose joints

Loose joints are a natural part of the wear and tear of a boiler unit. It happens due to the joints and pipe connections loosening over time as a result of the water repeatedly expanding when heating up and contracting when cooling down. This means that the joints will need to be tightened to prevent water coming out of the unit.

Corrosion

Corroded pipes could eventually begin to weaken, which may result in water escaping from the boiler. Should the corrosion not have spread further than a single pipe or valve then simply replacing the corroded part will resolve the problem. In the case that the corrosion has spread throughout the system, it's likely beyond repair and means that you'll need to replace your boiler. Again, don't hesitate to get in touch for all your new boiler needs - we promise to find the right boiler for your home and install it for a price you're happy with.

Pressure

If the pressure in your boiler is too high then this could result in the boiler leaking water. This is because the boiler needs to let out some of the excess pressure to avoid the unit imploding on itself. You can tell if your boiler pressure is too high if the needle on the pressure gauge on the unit is pointing above 2. So if you can see that you boiler pressure is too high, you can reduce the pressure. IMPORTANT: The correct boiler pressure is between 1 and 2 on the pressure gauge.

Temperature

Boilers are fitted with a temperature control valve (TCV) which monitors the temperature of the water within the boiler and stops it from getting too hot. Any leak from the temperature valve suggests that the boiler temperature is too high and could lead to scalding water coming out of the taps. This needs to be avoided at all times as there is serious risk of injury. If you notice a leak from the temperature valve, contact a professional right away.

Pump seals

A boiler pump is there to pump water around your home's heating system. So, if it isn't sealed correctly, then the water can leak out of it. If this is the case, the pump in the unit will either need replacing or resealing. It's simple to sort out, and we're here to help.

Poor installation

And the final reason that your boiler might be leaking could quite simply be caused by poor installation; this is often the case when water is coming from the pipe fittings of your boiler system. To avoid this happening to your boiler, make sure you only allow a Gas Safe registered engineer to work on and install a new boiler. All of our engineers are Gas Safe registered and ready to help you with your boiler. Contact us today for a new boiler and installation.

Is a leaking boiler an emergency?

We cannot stress this enough, a leaking boiler is a serious issue that can not only cause further damage to the boiler itself but also your home. Do not ignore a leak coming from your boiler, it can lead to corrosion, rust and even mould in your home. At the earliest sign of a leak (even if it seems small) contact a heating engineer. IMPORTANT: don’t attempt to repair it yourself!

How dangerous is a leaking boiler?

Like we said earlier, a leaking boiler has the potential to cause a lot of damage, not just to the boiler itself but to your home. It's highly likely that water will be leaking onto electrical components that could end up short circuiting. Depending on where your boiler is and how far the water has spread, it could potentially cause damage to your carpets, furniture and other belongings. So yes, it can be very dangerous for various different reasons.

Can I still use my boiler if it’s leaking water?

If you spot a leak then immediately stop using your boiler. Instead, switch off the water supply and the central heating and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer as soon as possible.

How can I prevent a water leak from my boiler?

The most effective way to prevent your boiler leaking water is with an annual boiler service. This will ensure your heating system is running safely and will bring up any issues to the trained professional looking at it, before they actually happen. An annual service will also help to keep your boiler running as safely, reliably and efficiently as possible.

In addition, you could also have your heating system treated with a power flush. A flush of the heating system will remove limescale and debris that could help to reduce the risk of any corrosion occurring.

How can Assett Plumbing help?

We pride ourselves on offering quality boiler repairs, refurbishments and installation, carried out by qualified engineers. All of our work has a 5-year guarantee, meaning that it will save you money in the long run. We offer a variety of services for boilers and central heating systems, including:

• Boiler Installation
• Boiler Repairs
• Power Flushing
• Boiler Servicing
• Boiler Upgrading

No matter the size of the job, our engineers are here to help. And don't worry about any call out charges, we don't believe in them and you won’t find any here. We guarantee all workmanship for 12 months, and we provide a fully itemised quotation before any work begins so you don't have to worry about hidden costs.

Contact us today on 01604 372395 for any boiler or plumbing emergency, breakdown, installation or repair work.