BOOK NOW BEFORE NEXT WINTER

BOILERS  

In the same way your car needs a regular check-up at the garage, your boiler needs a regular service. It gives you peace of mind that everything is working properly and it could help prevent a boiler break down. A qualified Gas Safe engineer should pick up most faults before they become a problem and are more expensive to fix further down the line.

Keeping your boiler in tip top condition also helps it work more efficiently. If your boiler is having to work hard to provide the same level of heat or hot water, then it’s not going to be working efficiently. This means your energy bills are likely to be higher than they should be.

More importantly a boiler service could keep you safe. 

During a boiler service, a Gas Safe engineer must check the products of combustion using a calibrated analyser. High levels of carbon monoxide could make you ill or prove fatal. 

If you are a home owner you are obliged to properly maintain your gas appliances. This is done by having them serviced annually and retaining the safety certificate issued by your engineer.

Note! if you are a landlord remember a gas safety certificate is not a service. You are still legally obliged to maintain the appliances.

COOKERS  

Year on year cookers get more complex yet get overlooked when servicing time arrives. They are in use all the year and still requires a service and a min 20 point safety check. 

FIRES (Space heaters)

These are often the source of carbon monoxide poisoning and thus imperitive that they are services anually without fail. Even if not in constant use they still require servicing as things go wrong even when not in use such as blocked flues and dust buildup.

An experienced engineer will really get under the hood of your appliances to check how it’s working.

You’ll need to be at home, so that you can show them where the appliances are and the location of anything else they might want to inspect. Most services then follow a similar checklist approach, 

1. To start, a full and comprehensive visual examination of all the gas installation, ventilation, controls, safety devices and all other appliances.
2. Starting with a compulsary gas tightness test ensuring no leaks are present on installation before starting to work.
3. An appliance service is then carried out as per the manufacturers instructions as all appliances are different Legal requirement to have these available. No service without. (They can be acquired if notified in advance.)

         4.  Compulsary gas tightness test again 

      ensuring no leaks are left on the installation during the process.

Safety certificate and service log issued for your records

If you’re worried your gas appliance isn’t working properly, you will want to  book a repair appointment instead. This way you can get the fault diagnosed and sorted straight away.

Note: For an engineer to carry out a service the appliance must function. If the appliance is in breakdown request a repair not a service as this helps the engineer allocate the required amount of time to the job. A service will not repair. They can sometimes be done on the same visit but the repair must be done first. Appliances are always tested before a service to find any existing faults that may be present.

THE TRAP

Do not fall into the trap of many and think just because a Gas Safe engineer turns up at their property and pops the flue gas analyser into the flue, issues a piece of paper or email they have had the appliance services.

WRONG!!

If you thought you are paying for an appliance service in accordance with manufacturers instructions you are being ripped off!

You have actually only reveived a safety certificate/ inspection.

eg.

You take your car to the garage for a full service to comply with the manufacturers requirements and to keep the car running efficiently. All they do is test the emmissions from the exhaust and kick the tyres.

 Would you pay for the service?

NO!!!

Would you expect the manufacturer to honor the warranty if you have an issue?

NO!!!

A safety inspection does not enable your boiler to live a full, efficient and usefull life.

DONT PAY FOR SHORT CUTS AND LAZYNESS.

You will need to have a paper copy of the user and installation instructions to hand for the engineer for all your appliances. It is a legal requirement for the engineer to refer to the manufacturers instructions for servicing and installation compliance details. Most of them can be found online if needed.

If I know the make and model of the appliance I can find you a copy. Usually available online to download and print.

• Check online that the company is Gas Safe registered
• Always check the engineers identity card to see if he is qualified to work on your type of appliance. No Id = No entry. 
• The engineer MUST by law check the whole installation for safety issues and gas tightness before and after ANY work on an appliance. (Even just taking off the cover. Repair or service) This takes an absolute minimum of 10 minutes. No checks, suggests a rogue
• Always have a copy of the installation and servicing instructions for the appliance. Read it and this will be an indication of what the engineer should actually be doing when he arrives according to service procedure.
• Ensure the area arround the appliance is clear of obstructions, they have adequate space,safe access and adequate light. If a boiler is in a cupboard surrounded by junk limiting access and making the process or just making the environment unpleasent. Common sense states that the engineer is not going want to stick around long thus you get an inferior service.
• Sit and watch the engineer. It will not bother a good engineer and you may learn something about your appliance.
• You should always reveive some form of work report before they leave.
• The engineer MUST check the whole installation for safety issues and gas tightness before and after ANY work on an appliance. (Even just taking off the cover) This takes a absolute minimum of 10 minutes