How To Repair A Boiler At Home
Landlords are legally responsible for their boilers, and must use a Gas Safe Registered Engineer for all repair and maintenance work. The reasons that the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 stipulate that a professional must do the work are due to the potential for deadly carbon monoxide leaks or boiler explosions. Landlords have been jailed for this, so it is wise to steer well clear of DIY boiler repairs. Remember that as a landlord, you must replace the gas safe certificate for boilers annually.
Common Boiler Parts That Often Need Repairing
Thankfully, most boiler repairs are minor. The most common boiler faults usually occur to fragile parts such as gas valves, high use components such as the fan, and easily damaged elements such as the heat exchanger. Sometimes, the printed circuit board or flue may need attention, although this is rarer. In an ideal world, none of these parts of the boiler should ever reach the stage where they break. With good care and maintenance, and regular inspections and servicing, minor issues can be identified before they become an expensive problem.
Average Cost Of Repair
If routine maintenance has been neglected and a repair is necessary, the price can vary. The costs start from around £120 and do not usually exceed £750. The average cost of a boiler repair that includes replacement parts is around £300. However, these things are impossible to predict, as many different problems can cause the same symptoms. For instance, a boiler that refuses to ignite could be caused by faults to the gas, air, or spark. As such, solutions range from flushing out blockages to replacing worn out parts, with the costs varying to reflect this.
Emergency Repair Price
It is the legal duty of the landlord to ensure that tenants have access to warm water and heating. As such, if the boiler stops working during the winter, it is legally considered an emergency. The cost of an emergency call out and repair usually ranges from £100 to £500. However, it should be stressed that emergency repairs can almost always be avoided with proactive maintenance. In this matter, tenants have a legal obligation to inspect and maintain the boiler, and promptly report any issues. By listening for unusual noises, checking the pressure, and reporting error codes, repairs can usually be dealt with before they become an emergency.
What next?
If you are a landlord who wants to keep homes comfortable on a sensible budget, Trusted Boilers can help. To learn more about avoiding boiler repairs, or to book an emergency boiler repair, give us a call today.
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