What to Do If Your Boiler is Leaking Water: A Comprehensive Guide
Leaking boilers can be a common issue, and while it may not pose a direct threat to your safety, it can cause significant damage to your home and appliances. Therefore, it’s crucial to identify and resolve the issue as soon as possible. In this guide, we’ll discuss the most common reasons why boilers leak water, how it can be dangerous, and what you can do to fix it.
Boiler Leaks: Are They Dangerous?
Boiler leaks are not directly dangerous but require immediate attention. If left unattended, the water dripping from a leaky boiler can cause rust and damage to electrical components or functions inside your boiler. This can eventually lead to a completely broken boiler that is not working.
If you notice a gas leak along with the water leak, you must call the gas emergency line immediately. However, a leaking boiler that’s dripping water only does not require urgent action in terms of your personal safety, but it is still essential to address the issue immediately to avoid more significant damage to your home.
Why Is My Boiler Leaking Water?
There are several reasons why your boiler may be leaking water. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- High boiler pressure: High boiler pressure can cause pressure release valve (PRV) to let out water, causing a leak.
- Corrosion of pipework: Over time, pipework, fixtures, and fittings can become corroded, brittle, and eventually deteriorate, causing a leak. Regular servicing is crucial to identify and replace any corroded parts.
- Faulty boiler installation: Incorrectly fitted joints in pipework can lead to leaks. It is quite common for new boiler installations to have small leaks. If you have recently had a new boiler installation, it is best to contact your installer to fix the leaks and correct the pipework.
- Broken seals: Seals around or on parts and joints within your boiler can become damaged, causing water to leak through the seal.
- Faulty heat exchanger: If your boiler is old or of low quality, the heat exchanger may stop working or crack. In this case, the heat exchanger is the most expensive part to replace, and it’s not easy to identify whether it’s leaking.
- High temperature: A temperature control valve (TCV) in boilers keeps an eye on the temperature of the water inside and prevents it from getting too high. If the TCV is unable to regulate the temperature, it may lead to leaks coming from the temperature valve.
How Do I Stop My Boiler From Leaking?
Here are some steps you can take if your boiler is leaking:
- Turn off your boiler and water supply.
- Call a Gas Safe registered engineer immediately to identify and fix the issue.
- If the leak is small, you could put a bucket underneath it to catch the water until the engineer arrives.
- Avoid using your boiler while it’s leaking, as the leaks could end up spilling onto other electrical parts and short-circuiting.
- If you have recently had a new boiler installation and notice any leaks, contact your installer right away to rectify the issue.
Can I Fix a Leaking Boiler Myself?
It’s always best to call a qualified engineer to fix a leaking boiler, as the issue can lead to more serious damage that is harder to fix. However, if you’re having trouble getting an engineer over immediately, there are some short-term solutions to minimize the problem.
In this instance, you could use a boiler leak sealant or sealer that forms a boiler leak seal to stop or block the leakage. This is a temporary solution to stop the leak from causing further damage to the boiler
