A boiler service typically takes an hour to complete.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It’s a less complex job than a repair, and your heating engineer will have a checklist of what to inspect.
Modern combi boilers are more straightforward to service, and the task can be completed in as little as half an hour.
Seeking a new boiler service provider? Contact Bumblebee today and learn how we can help
What to expect during a boiler service
A service is your boiler’s annual health check, and an engineer’s job is to ensure everything is working as intended.
Nothing is overlooked, and every component checked for wear and tear.
It’s a comprehensive process, but not one that should take long.
However, a service differs from a repair in that an engineer isn’t looking to find and immediately fix any faults. Instead, they’re appraising your system, while cleaning and resetting certain parts.
Over the course of an hour, your chosen heating engineer will do:
A visual inspection
This involves removing the case and looking closely at areas that might present issues such gas pipes and the burner.
Corrosion and damage will be easy for a certified engineer to identify, so this is a simple (but crucial) step.
Your engineer will likely also check the controls and ensure they’re responding as they should.
A component inspection and cleaning
Some parts, like the burner and heat exchanger, will need to be scrutinised (and possibly cleaned) to ensure they keep working as efficiently as possible.
These parts are ones exposed directly to high temperatures, and are arguably among the most crucial in your heating system.
It’s possible the only thing standing between a fully working burner and a defective one is a good clean, so this is an essential part of your regular boiler service.
A flue check
Your boiler’s flue is essential to its safe operation.
The flue vents out gases created by the boiler as it burns, while also allowing fresh air intake. It’s a simple piece of pipework, but needs to be clear to operate properly without risking the health of your home’s occupants.
As a result, your engineer should check it for obstructions.
Pressure checks
Both the gas and water pressure need to be at appropriate levels for your system, and your engineer may check these during a service.
The water pressure in your system is often easy to discern just by looking at the boiler’s pressure gauge, and can be topped up by using the filling loop.
If you’ve noticed a consistent drop in your system’s pressure, that means you’re needing to intervene more than a couple of times a year.
It’s worth mentioning this to your engineer because it could signal a leak.
Contact Bumblebee today and ask about our boiler service offer
Are radiators checked as part of a boiler service?
Not every provider will check radiators as part of your service, but it’s often a good idea to at least check they’re not filling with air and they’re heating properly.
Many UK homes have eight to 10 radiators spread across multiple rooms, so it’s feasible one (or more) of yours could be underperforming without you noticing.
Checking multiple radiators can add some time to the duration of the engineer’s visit, so it’s important to consider this when asking how long does a boiler service take.
Why is it important to service your boiler?
A service will usually be required to maintain your warranty cover.
While it may seem most cost-effective to wait until your boiler breaks down before having it repaired, skipping annual boiler maintenance can be a false economy.
When boilers break down, repair costs can be considerable.
Annual servicing reduces the risk of breakdowns, and makes sure you’re not paying more than necessary for your heating.
Want to understand more about boiler service plans? We’ve published a handy guide here.
Should I use a Gas Safe-registered engineer to service my boiler?
In short, yes you should.
While there are basic maintenance tasks everyone should be able to safely carry out, it isn’t safe to attempt to service your own boiler.
Using a Gas Safe-registered heating engineer means you can trust the person working on your system has the necessary training to understand what they’re looking at and will leave things safe and secure once they’re done.
Comprehensive boiler services from Bumblebee
If you’re a homeowner or a landlord, then a boiler service should be on your annual to-do list.
With a boiler service plan, costs can be spread across the year.
The team of Gas Safe-registered engineers at Bumblebee has established a reputation as one of the most reliable providers of heating services across the North West of England.
We’re ready to service your boiler in Manchester, Liverpool, Widnes, Stockport, and across Cheshire and the wider region.
Based in Warrington, our full-time staff is on hand to quickly answer your calls and emails.
Contact us today to find out more about comprehensive boiler servicing and maintenance.
