Many people think that booking a boiler service is the solution when they discover a leak in their central heating system. However, it’s important to note that a boiler service alone will not fix the problem. While a Gas-Safe engineer can check the boiler components, they may not have the necessary time and tools to address more complex issues within the system. It’s possible for your boiler to receive a clean bill of health while still having a serious leak in your central heating pipes. To effectively and cost-efficiently deal with your leak, it is recommended to use a Trace and Access service from a professional leak detection company.
To ensure that heat reaches every part of your house, the water in your central heating system is kept under pressure. However, if this pressure drops too low, your boiler will automatically turn off, resulting in no heat or hot water.
To investigate the issue, you may need the assistance of a professional leak detection service. But before we delve into how we can help you address your central heating pressure problems, let’s first understand why leaks occur and discuss a few steps you can take to try to resolve the issue on your own.
Central heating boilers typically have a pressure gauge on the front, which can be either hydraulic dials or a digital display. When the heating is off, the boiler pressure should be around 1 bar, and when the heating is on and the system is warm, it should be around 2 bar.
If your pressure reading is lower than the expected range, it is likely that there is either a leak or air trapped somewhere in the system. While there are a few sensitive components in the boiler that could cause pressure problems, these are the most common reasons for low pressure.
It may seem like a minor inconvenience when your central heating pipes leak or your boiler loses pressure. However, if you don’t address these issues promptly, they can actually cause significant and costly damage. The problem is that your central heating system runs throughout your entire house, including under the floors, through the walls, and even into the loft space. This means that water can leak in hidden places, leading to extensive damage before any visible signs appear. Even a small, steady drip of water can result in dampness within the structure of your home. If you don’t take action quickly, the cost of fixing the damage can reach thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars.
Air causes a problem in central heating systems because it can be compressed more easily than water. As the pressure in the system goes up, the water compresses the air, and your system pressure drops again.
The only way to solve the problem is to bleed your radiators – to get rid of the air altogether.
Luckily, this is easily done. You’ll need a bleed key – and, if you’re not careful, a towel! Use the bleed key to gently release the radiator vent – and, if you’ve got trapped air, it’ll hiss out – similar to letting air out of a bike or car tyre. Remember, there’s water in there too, so when the hiss stops, get ready to tighten the vent back up – before water comes out.
You should repeat this process with each of your radiators and towel rails.
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Air is a nuisance in central heating systems because it can be compressed more easily than water. When the pressure in the system increases, the air gets compressed by the water, causing the system pressure to drop again.
The only solution to this problem is to bleed your radiators and completely eliminate the air. Fortunately, this is a simple task. All you need is a bleed key – just be careful not to forget a towel! Use the bleed key to gently release the radiator vent. If there is trapped air, it will hiss out, similar to releasing air from a bike or car tire. Keep in mind that there is also water in the system, so once the hissing stops, be prepared to tighten the vent before any water escapes.
Make sure to repeat this process for each of your radiators and towel rails.
Air is a nuisance in central heating systems because it can be compressed more easily than water. When the pressure in the system increases, the air gets compressed by the water, causing the system pressure to drop again.
The only solution to this problem is to bleed your radiators and completely eliminate the air. Fortunately, this is a simple task. All you need is a bleed key – just be careful not to forget a towel! Use the bleed key to gently release the radiator vent. If there is trapped air, it will hiss out, similar to releasing air from a bike or car tire. Keep in mind that there is also water in the system, so once the hissing stops, be prepared to tighten the vent before any water escapes.
Make sure to repeat this process for each of your radiators and towel rails.
Assuming you’ve managed to get air out of your radiators, you’ll find that the pressure in your boiler might have dropped again. You’ll need to top this up using the ‘filling loop’.
On many boilers, the filling loop is part of the system – but on some, it’s an additional length of hose that you’ll need to secure to the pipework near the boiler. If you’re unsure about any part of the process, you should check your boiler instructions – or check on your boiler manufacturer’s website – as many have helpful videos explaining what to do.
Usually, topping up the system fluid and pressure will require you to:
It’s vital that you only increase the pressure in your boiler if you’ve followed your manufacturer’s instructions and feel absolutely confident doing so. Overfilling a boiler can cause damage (and further leaks) – so be careful.
If you notice your boiler pressure dropping away straight after you’ve followed this procedure, you should get in touch with us as quickly as possible – as this would indicate a large leak that needs immediate attention.
If you manage to top up your boiler and it maintains good pressure after bleeding your radiators, that’s great news. However, if your boiler keeps losing pressure, it’s important not to simply keep topping it up and ignoring an underlying problem.
The fluid inside your radiators isn’t just water; it actually contains a mixture of chemicals. This fluid, known as an “inhibitor,” is added during the installation of your system or boiler.
The purpose of the inhibitor fluid is to prevent the accumulation of sludge or corrosion in your heating pipes. It comes in a highly concentrated formula that needs to be diluted with water in your system. If it becomes too diluted, it loses its effectiveness, which can result in increased wear and reduced efficiency throughout your system. If you have a leak and keep topping up with water, you will eventually deplete the inhibitor completely.
Continually topping up from the filling loop is not a good idea due to the potential damage it can cause. If your system continues to lose pressure, it’s time to take more serious measures.
Tracer gases are a non-invasive method used to detect leaks in central heating systems. The process involves draining the heating system and filling the pipework with a safe and non-toxic mixture of gases. A highly sensitive probe is then used to run along the pipework throughout the property. When the gas is released through cracks, it alerts the probe and helps locate the exact location of the leak. The gas particles are small enough to rise through various materials like wood, carpet, tiles, and even concrete. This means that we can locate the leak without causing any damage or mess to your home.
Thermal imaging is a powerful technique that we use to find central heating leaks. We utilize a high-tech camera to capture the thermal energy emitted by the pipes. This technology enables us to detect the hidden central heating pipes under floors and inside wall cavities, as well as identify the source of the leak. As water leaks cause discreet temperature variations, our thermal imaging camera detects these abnormal temperatures in the images it produces. This tool is essential for our engineers to locate hidden pipes and determine where to search, working alongside other leak detection techniques.
Our acoustic listening devices are equipped with highly sensitive microphones that can detect the noise of a leak escaping from a pipe. Whether the leak is large or small, it will always generate noise. These devices are designed to pick up and amplify these noises, allowing our engineers to easily detect them. To accurately locate the leak, we use two listening devices simultaneously. By triangulating the source of the sound and calculating the distance between each microphone, we can determine the exact location of the leak. This technique is particularly beneficial for pipes that are buried deep under floors or inside insulated walls.
Moisture meters are used to check the moisture levels on surfaces. Our engineer will take multiple readings around your home, specifically in areas where central heating pipes run and around the boiler itself. This is done to identify areas with higher levels of moisture and locate the source of any water leaks. Higher moisture levels indicate the possibility of a nearby central heating leak. In some cases, if certain materials are difficult to test, a small hole may need to be drilled to obtain more accurate readings within the surface. Though this method is not completely non-invasive, it causes very minimal damage.
Borescopes are specialized inspection cameras. They have a flexible tube with a light source and camera at the end. These cameras transmit high-definition images and videos in real time for the operator to view. Borescopes are designed specifically to inspect hard-to-reach areas such as inside walls, floors, and other confined spaces. Their purpose is to search for signs of water leaks. To use a borescope, a small hole needs to be drilled into the area that requires inspection. If there are no other access points available, this method allows for easy repair of the small drilled hole, leaving no evidence behind. The diameter of the borescope is no larger than 6mm.
There is a wide range of Central Heating leak sealants available that claim to provide a quick solution for finding and fixing leaks in pressurized systems. However, it’s important to be cautious because these sealants are never as effective as physically addressing the problem.
The main issue with leak sealants is that they are not an exact science. While they may partially fix a leak, they can also attach to rust and corrosion, potentially causing further problems. In some cases, using sealant has even led to bigger issues that require repairs in other parts of the system.
It’s crucial not to be tempted by a quick-fix approach that could result in serious damage to your property.
There is no fixed rate for leak detection. Instead, the price depends on the type of property we are coming to. As you can imagine, it is usually simpler to locate a leak in a domestic property than it is in a large commercial building.
Almost all building insurance policies include coverage for “Trace and Access” in case of central heating leaks. This means that any charges incurred will usually be refunded to you. Additionally, we have partners available to assist you with any related insurance claims, eliminating the need for you to worry about the paperwork or phone calls involved.
We understand better than anyone the stress of dealing with a leaky home, no heating, and no hot water. That’s why we are committed to helping you every step of the way. We will even ensure that you have all the necessary reports to support your insurance claim.
If you think there’s a leak in your central heating system, acting fast is the key to keeping your costs down.
Get in touch with us now by calling 01628 659412 . You’ll speak to a friendly and knowledgeable member of the team who’ll help you deal with your central heating leak today.
We serve the whole of Maidenhead, Berkshire including all villages in the area.
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