Is a leaking boiler dangerous?
A leaking boiler is dangerous and can be classed as an emergency. This would require urgent attention from a professional gas safe engineer. It poses a serious risk to your household depending on the cause. If you do notice your boiler leaking, do not feel tempted to just put a bucket underneath the leak and ignore it. It is important to get urgent expertise to have a look at the leak.
You may want to keep in mind that your boiler can leak water and gas, however it is most common that a leak is water. If your boiler pressure is continually dropping you may be experiencing a boiler leak. If your central heating system is not working correctly this may also be a sign of a boiler leak.
This is why it is important to understand what circumstances require an engineer to be called out immediately and others not.
If you can smell gas or think there could be a gas leak from your boiler, you should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This service is available 24/7.
In this blog post, we will talk about the different types of boiler leaks, how dangerous they are and how to prevent boiler leaks. This will hopefully prevent you being without hot water or heating for too long.
Should I use my boiler if it is leaking?
If you have noticed your boiler is leaking, it is wise to turn off your water supply and central heating system.
If you have discovered a boiler leak, it is best to switch off the water supply and central heating. Place buckets under the leaks and dry any water spills.
If it is a gas leak that you suspect, turn off your gas supply; this is usually done at the isolation valve, a lever on your gas meter.
Once you have taken these steps, you should immediately contact a gas safe engineer to come to check out your boiler.
Why is a leaking boiler so dangerous?
Most leaking boilers can be picked up early enough before too much damage is done, however if left for a long period of time it can become increasingly dangerous to you and your home.
Is a leaking boiler a health hazard?
A leaking boiler can become a health hazard. If your boiler is leaking for an extended period of time, it could lead to the growth of mould within your home. Mould growth can release spores into the air of your home. Mould growth can happen rapidly in the right conditions. A damp and warm environment allows fungi and mould to grow rapidly within your home.
This can lead to you becoming ill. Health issues such as continuous coughing, asthma and difficulty breathing are all signs of mould growth.
Can a leaking boiler cause damage to my home?
If your boiler is leaking water and the leak is left untreated for a prolonged period of time, this can definitely damage your home. Water puddles can lead to stains on walls, floors and ceilings. When water heats and cools with the temperature of your home, the water is expanding and shrinking continually and will cause structural damage to your home. This can lead to parts of your home becoming rotten.
What causes a leaking boiler?
As your boiler gets older it may start to leak water however there are many other reasons for a leaking boiler such as these featured below.
Can corroded pipework cause a leaking boiler?
A leaking boiler can usually be the main causation. Over time debris and water slowly corrode the copper pipes. This creates little gaps for water to leak through. If your boiler is old this is probably the main cause. If your boiler is new it may be due to the fact the pipes were installed incorrectly.
If your boiler only has one pipe that has corrosion, a gas safe engineer should be able to replace it for you.
Why is water leaking from the Pressure relief valve?
The pressure relief valve is a small copper pipe outside your home and on the other side of your boiler. If water is leaking from this valve it is probably because your boiler pressure is too high. This valve helps your boiler to maintain correct water pressure.
Unfortunately for this leak, you will need to call for a gas safe registered engineer to have a look at it.
Can damaged seals cause a boiler leak?
Over time wear and tear will take place within your boiler. Loose joints and damaged seals can be responsible for a boiler leak. This happens over time as water is repeatedly expanding and contracting, causing decay within seals and joints. This issue will need to be looked into by a gas safe registered engineer.
What should I do if my boiler is leaking?
The first step if you notice water leaking or dripping from your boiler at any point or location on the boiler should be to contact hug boilers for your gas safe registered engineer to have a look at it. Until your engineer arrives you should turn off your water supply and heating system and turn off any surrounding electrical components. Keep these switched off until your engineer has arrived.
Can I prevent a leaking boiler?
If your boiler is old, eventually issues with your boiler will arise, however a leaking boiler doesn’t have to be one of them. Having your boiler serviced annually will help spot any leaks or faults before they affect you, making repairs cheaper before it becomes a bigger issue.
A magnetic filter can also work well to prevent a leaking boiler as it attracts magnetic debris in your boiler and heating system to help prevent corrosion.
A chemical flush can also help prevent your boiler from leaking as it can flush away any build up of limescale and debris within your boiler and pipes.
Can I fix a leaking boiler?
When it comes to a leaking boiler, a gas safe engineer should always be called first before attempting to fix it yourself. It is important to understand the difference between a leaking radiator and a leaking boiler. A leaking radiator will still need attention, however it is not classed as an emergency in need of urgent care.
If you have a leak coming from your radiator, this could be the result of a loose pipe joint. You can tighten the joint if you feel confident enough in doing this. It is always recommended to leave any repairs to a gas safe registered engineer to avoid causing any further issues.
What does a boiler that’s leaking gas smell like?
Gas leaking from your boiler usually smells similar to rotten eggs. If you believe you can smell gas leaking from your boiler you should immediately contact the National Gas Emergency Line.
It is not normal for any boilers to be leaking water. Regular maintenance can help prevent boiler leaks. If you have a new boiler recently installed this may be due to a faulty installation. In this case you should call your gas safe registered engineer.
Can a leaking boiler cause carbon monoxide poisoning?
If your boiler is leaking from the flue, this can be dangerous. The flue carries all the bad gasses out of your boiler into the outside. Small amounts of carbon monoxide escaping from this flue can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness and difficulty breathing.
We recommend that you should place your carbon monoxide alarm by your boiler to alert you as soon as possible of this leak.
If you suspect any of these symptoms are caused by your boiler or your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, you must immediately call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This service is available 24/7.
Overall, a leaking boiler can be very dangerous. Each scenario is different and a gas safe registered engineer should be contacted as soon as a leak is noticed. If left untreated it can become extremely dangerous to your home and family. Hug boilers have gas safe registered engineers at the ready to help you with any boiler issues. Your home in safe hands.
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