Boiler expert shares 'urgent' warning sign heater needs repairing before winter
29.09.2023 - 21:59
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
As temperatures begin to drop, many UK households will be tempted to turn on the central heating - but there are a few things you should check first.
Ahead of the colder weather, experts at MyJobQuote have shared a warning sign that your boiler might need repairing - and it's rather unpleasant. Not only could it mean a broken boiler, it could also be a sign of something more dangerous.
Even if you find that your boiler is still functioning, knowing the signs of a faulty device now can help prevent a repair in the winter time, as the crucial heating system will need to be shut down.
Mathew Harkins of MyJobQuote is warning that if you notice any "putrid" smells coming from your boiler, you should shut down the system immediately and call a heating engineer. He explained the different kinds of smells a boiler can make and what each one means.
"There are numerous smells which could indicate different grades of repair. Burnt metal or plastic smells can be produced by overheating," said Mathew.
"Boilers generate heat from a metal coil inside the unit so this may indicate that there’s an issue with the furnace burner or air filter, in which an engineer would need to look at the appliance."
However, Mathew cautioned that a "foul sulphuric" scent may be a sign of a gas leak, which could be fatal if left unnoticed.
He highlighted: "A gas leak is seriously dangerous as not only can it harm your health but it can trigger a fire or explosion. If you smell something sulphuric, turn off the system, open doors and windows and evacuate the building before calling an engineer."
Another gross warning sign that your boiler is dwindling is if your radiators are staying cold while running, as this indicates sludge and rust within central