At Lacey Plumbing & Heating, you can experience complete confidence and peace of mind with both our expert standard boiler services and strip down boiler services.

What is a strip down boiler service?

A strip down boiler service is essentially a full overhaul of your boiler where everything is checked. As your boiler ages, sediment builds up over time which can affect how your boiler functions and reduce its efficiency. 

The service involves thoroughly cleaning the internal components and ensuring each part is working to its optimal performance. 

What is a standard boiler service?

A standard boiler service is a yearly visual inspection conducted by a qualified engineer to check your boiler is working safely and efficiently. 

Generally speaking, a strip down boiler service is more intrusive than a standard boiler service. During an annual service, the main elements that will be reviewed are the system controls, C02 levels, pressure fans and the gas valve. 

Does a strip down boiler service cost more than a regular service?

Yes, strip down boiler services do cost more than a regular boiler service since it involves more manual labour. It will usually take longer to complete and there are a number of parts, such as electrodes and seals, that need changing in the boiler.

Costs for a strip down boiler service can range, but the general cost usually starts from £240 including vat. This will include the cost of the consumables that need changing. These consumable parts are not included in your boiler warranty.

Benefits of a strip down boiler service vs a standard boiler service

There are a number of different benefits that come from having a strip down boiler service instead of just standard boiler services, including:

• Extended boiler lifespan – Removing built-up dirt and debris by deep cleaning the boiler is the best way to prevent wear and tear. This will ultimately help to extend the lifespan of your boiler.

• Improved efficiency – Cleaning the internal parts allows for better heat transfer, meaning your boiler won’t have to work as hard to produce the same amount of heat. This helps to maximise its efficiency and therefore lower your heating bills.

• Reduced risk of breakdowns – A strip down boiler service allows heating engineers to identify any minor issues that could become bigger problems down the line. This helps to prevent breakdowns from occurring, saving you from spending on unexpected repair costs.

• Safer operation – A thorough and deep clean ensures that gas flows properly, helping to minimise the risk of malfunction and potential hazards like carbon monoxide leaks.  

Is a full strip down boiler service necessary?

Yes, a full strip down boiler service is necessary, especially for boilers older than 5 years. If you need to call out your manufacturer under warranty, they will always highlight when a strip service is due and may query your warranty if this hasn’t been carried out.

Although annual servicing is also essential to keeping your home safe and boiler running smoothly, they do not target components that experience wear and tear like a full strip boiler service does. 

At Lacey Plumbing & Heating, we can conduct both full strip down boiler services and standard services. You can also experience complete confidence and peace of mind with our boiler service plans. 

If you wish to join our boiler service plans, or you think your boiler would benefit from a full strip down boiler service, get in touch with our reliable team today to see how we can help you.

Most combi boilers are suited to homes with one or two bathrooms and they can usually meet these hot water demands. 

However, if your combi boiler has low mains water pressure, your combi boiler may not be able to deliver the high flow rates you’re looking for. 

Key Points:

• A good flow rate on a combi boiler should be between 12-15 litres per minute

• Having a boiler flow rate higher than your mains supply flow rate can result in wasted money

• Installing a pump into your mains supply can help to increase your boilers flow rate 

What is boiler flow rate?

Boiler flow rate is the volume of hot water that passes through a boiler every minute and it is usually measured in litres per minute (L/min). In general, the more bathrooms and showers you have, the greater the flow rate you’ll need. 

However, it isn’t that simple. The amount of water that can flow through your boiler is dictated by the volume of water supplied from your mains, also known as the mains supply flow rate. So when you install a new boiler, you need to ensure it has a flow rate that matches the mains supply flow rate. 

How important is the flow rate on a combi boiler?

Understanding the flow rate of your boiler is essential for helping you understand the speed in which hot water can be provided to your taps and showers. 

The more taps and showers you have in your home, the higher the combi boiler flow rate you’ll need, especially if they are frequently used at the same time. For properties with two or more bathrooms, it is essential to opt for a boiler with a higher flow rate since it will be halved, for example, if two showers are in use at the same time. 

Can you save money with lower or higher boiler flow rates?

When your combi boiler is installed, the flow temperature is usually set to around 70-80°C. This is normally too high for most combi boilers to run at maximum efficiency. 

Lower flow rate temperatures result in a more efficient combi boiler since it uses less gas to heat your home to the same temperature, therefore saving you money. 

Can you increase your boiler flow rate?

Yes, you can increase your boiler’s flow rate and one of the easiest ways to do so is by installing a pump into your mains supply. This will help to boost the water pressure coming in from the mains, however, you will still need to ensure you have an adequate supply of water since the pumps are only designed to push water. 

There are also specific laws in place that limit pumps to 12 L/min to protect the mains infrastructure. However, this may not be enough for some homes considering some showers use as much as 9-15 L/min. 

For homes that need a flow rate higher than 12 L/min, a break tank can be installed to provide a reservoir of water. The pump can then be installed to supply water at a higher flow rate. 

If you don’t think your boiler has a high enough flow rate for your home and you’d like to have a pump installed, contact our team today to find out how we can help you increase your boiler’s flow rate.

Combi boilers are relatively simple to use and look after, but what do you do if air becomes trapped in your boiler?

This is known as an airlock, but thankfully they are relatively easy to deal with and you won’t need to worry about forking out for a new boiler. 

What is boiler airlock?

A boiler airlock refers to when there is air trapped within the boiler in a singular location. 

Airlocks can cut off a consistent water supply and stop the flow of water to specific areas of your central heating system. 

What happens if air is trapped in a combi boiler?

If left untreated, airlocks can cause damage to a boiler and other components, such as the pump and pressure gauge. 

It’s vital that you have a heating engineer examine your boiler as soon as possible, otherwise the airlock may cause your boiler to not work at all. 

How to detect boiler airlock

When air is trapped in a combi boiler, you may notice a few different signs that something isn’t quite right. These potential signs include:

• No hot water from taps and showers
• Spluttering or inconsistent flow from taps
• Cold spots on radiators that are usually fine 
• Tapping and banging sounds 
• Lower than normal boiler pressure

If you notice one or more of these issues present, there is a strong likelihood that there are one or more airlocks in your combi boiler. 

Will an airlock in a boiler clear itself?

It is quite rare for an airlock in a boiler to clear itself, so it is essential that the issue is addressed as soon as possible. If it goes untreated, airlocks can cause serious damage to your boiler. 

1. Prepare the area – Lay a few dry towels beneath the radiator you’re working on to catch any water. Make sure to keep your bleed key and any additional tools handy too.

2. Locate the bleed valve – Once your boiler is turned off and the system has cooled down, locate the bleed valve. This is typically found at the top of the radiator.

3. Open the valve – Insert the radiator bleed key into the valve and turn it slowly to release the trapped air. If you hear a hissing noise, this is the air escaping from the system.

4. Close the valve – Once the hissing sound stops and water begins to flow from the valve, close it by turning the key clockwise. Once complete, check and adjust the boiler pressure is necessary and refill the system. 

The garden hose method 

Another method you can use to get rid of an airlock is by using the garden hose method. You will need an outdoor tap and a suitable length hosepipe. 

1. Prepare the pipework – Turn off the mains water supply and locate the stopcock valve. This can usually be found by the kitchen sink. Next, open all the hot water taps in your home to drain the system.

2. Connect the hose – Attach one end of the garden hose to the outdoor tap and the other to the lowest hot water tap in your home – this may be in a downstairs bathroom or the kitchen. Securly fasten both ends with duct tape.

3. Force water through the pipes – Turn on the outdoor tap, allowing water to flow through the hose and back into the water system. The pressure from the hose will dislodge any trapped air and hopefully clear the airlock.

4. Drain and disconnect – Once the airlock has been cleared, turn off the outdoor tap and disconnect the hose. Next, turn back on your main water supply to refill the hot water system. Don’t forget to reopen the stopcock, close all the hot water taps and check the boiler pressure. 

If you don’t have any success with either of the methods above, or you simply don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, get in touch with our team at Lacey Plumbing & Heating and we will be more than happy to help you remove the airlock.

Key Points:

• Many manufacturers will require you to have your boiler serviced once a year to keep the warranty valid

• Professional boiler servicing is essential for optimum boiler performance and safety

• Homeowners are advised to have their boilers serviced annually, whereas landlords must comply with legal boiler servicing requirements

While it may not be a legal requirement to have a domestic boiler serviced annually, it is a legal requirement for landlords to provide a safe environment for their tenants and so annual servicing and gas safety checks must be carried out every year.

How often should a combi boiler be serviced?

It doesn’t matter what kind of boiler you have in your home, it should be serviced once a year, and this includes combi boilers. 

An annual service involves qualified heating engineers looking over the boiler unit and making sure it is running as efficiently as it should be. Not only does this help to ensure you’re safe, but it also gives you peace of mind knowing your system is working exactly how it should be. 

We have our own boiler serving plans, which is great for those who want the peace of mind knowing they always have an annual service booked in.

When should a combi boiler service be carried out?

There is no definitive answer for when your combi boiler should be serviced, as long as it is serviced every 12 months. 

While it can be serviced any time of year, it is generally a good idea to have it serviced during the summer months so you know it will be in full working condition when you need it, which will be the colder winter months. 

You may also find it will be easier to book in for a service during the summer months since many engineers will be busy in the winter months with emergency boiler breakdowns. 

Why is boiler servicing important?

The main purpose of boiler servicing is to ensure that the boiler is running safely and efficiently, as well as to identify potential boiler issues as early as possible. 

• Inspect the boiler’s efficiency – Engineers will ensure that your boiler is working efficiently, which helps to ensure it is not using energy excessively. This helps to keep your energy bills low and as accurate to your consumption as possible

• Identifying issues early on – Regular boiler servicing is essential for ensuring your boiler is running without any issues. Our certified heating engineers will thoroughly inspect your boiler to identify any issues

• Protect your household and boiler warranty – Ensuring your family are safe is one of the main priorities in boiler servicing. It also helps to ensure that you will maintain your boilers warranty.