Common Boiler Problems & Repair Costs
Did you know your boiler is most likely to have a problem during the Autumn? This is due to your central heating system being inactive during the summer months. But whenever a boiler failure occurs, it’s never ideal and always inconvenient.
Experiencing an issue with your system? It may be one of these 6 common boiler problems:
Pump failure
Have your radiators suddenly stopped working, has your boiler become noisy or are you experiencing a leak from below your boiler? If so, it’s possible these issues are caused by a problem with your central heating pump. Your heating pump is the heart of your system — taking hot water from your boiler and pumping it around your pipework — so, if it stops, no hot water and no heating.
What’s happened?
Many things can cause a pump failure, from the propeller on the pump getting stuck to air building up in the pump and causing an air lock.
How much will it cost to fix?
It’s likely to cost around £200 for a replacement pump, plus the cost of a boiler repair engineer to fit it.
Faulty circuit board
Has your boiler lost power, is it working sporadically or are lights flickering on the display panel? If so, it’s possible the circuit board has developed a fault.
The loss of your boiler’s power could also be caused by a blown fuse in the boiler, so make sure you check this first. But if the fuses are all fine, you’ll probably need a replacement circuit board.
What’s happened?
Your circuit board failure could be caused by many things but having a leak in the boiler or the circuit board developing a crack are among the most common.
How much will it cost to fix?
Depending on the type of boiler you have, a replacement circuit board is likely to cost up to £250, plus the cost of a boiler repair engineer to fit it.
Broken thermocouple
Has the pilot light on your boiler gone out? Will your pilot light not stay alight? If so, it’s possible you could be dealing with a broken thermocouple. If there is a problem with your boiler’s thermocouple, your boiler won’t turn on for safety reasons.
What’s happened?
Your broken thermocouple is likely to be caused by metal fatigue. This will be largely due to its age and the changes in temperature it’s been exposed to over time. The continuous expansion and contraction of the metal causes the thermocouple to become weak and potentially fail.
How much will it cost to fix?
Although a replacement thermocouple is an inexpensive part, the cost for a boiler engineer to fit it is likely to bring your boiler’s thermocouple replacement to approximately £150.
Broken pump seal
Are you experiencing dripping or a leak from underneath your boiler? If so, it’s possible a pump seal or pressure valve has broken inside your boiler.
What’s happened?
A broken pump seal is usually caused by the age of the part. Over time, this internal component will become worn out and will need to be replaced.
How much will it cost to fix?
Your boiler repair engineer will probably advise you to have the whole pump replaced, rather than just the seal. If your pump is old, it’s likely to break down soon anyway. Expect to pay approximately £300 for the replacement pump and the engineer’s labour.
Faulty boiler fan
Do you have an air fault code showing on your boiler? If so, it’s likely that your boiler’s fan has developed a fault.
Your boiler’s fan is a critical component, as it pushes harmful gases through your boiler’s flue and out of your home. If your fan can’t do its job, your boiler’s circuit board won’t allow the boiler to turn on.
What’s happened?
Your fan’s fault has probably been caused by the windings on the motor getting burnt out or the bearings having deteriorated.
How much will it cost to fix?
The cost of a replacement fan will vary, depending on the model of your boiler. But you can expect to pay between £100 and £200 for the fan, plus approximately the same again for a boiler repair engineer to fit it.
Motorised valve failure
Are your radiators not heating up? Have you found yourself with no hot water? If so, it’s possible your boiler’s motorised valves have failed. Your lack of hot water and heating could, of course, be caused by other problems with your boiler, including a drop in your boiler’s pressure. So, before you call out an engineer, it’s always a good idea to check your boiler’s pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bars on the pressure gauge.
What’s happened?
Like any moving part, the motorised valve in your boiler is subject to wear and tear. Replacing the motorised valve is a major job, as your heating system will need to be drained to remove and replace the part within the boiler.
How much will it cost to fix?
Expect to pay approximately £300 for your replacement motorised valve and for the boiler repair engineer to fit it.
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