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Annual Boiler Service: What's Included and Why It Matters

Find out what happens during a boiler service. Learn why yearly servicing keeps your boiler safe and saves you money.

Birmingham Boiler Repairs Team5 December 20248 min read
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annual-maintenance
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Annual Boiler Service: What's Included and Why It Matters

A yearly boiler service is one of the best things you can do for your home. It keeps your family safe. It helps your boiler run well. It cuts your energy bills and stops big problems before they happen.

Why Annual Boiler Servicing is Essential

Safety First

Carbon Monoxide Protection:

  • We test for gas leaks
  • We check the flue lets fumes out safely
  • We make sure the boiler burns gas properly
  • We spot problems early

Gas Safety Rules:

  • Landlords must do this by law
  • Your home insurance may need it
  • Your warranty may need it
  • Gives you peace of mind

Money Benefits

Lower Energy Bills:

  • We tune your boiler to use less gas
  • We adjust parts so it works at its best
  • We find small problems before they get big
  • Your boiler stays as good as new

Warranty Protection:

  • Most makers need yearly servicing
  • Without it, your warranty may not work
  • Protects your money
  • Keeps your repair cover valid

What's Included in Our Service

Looking at Your Boiler

Outside the Boiler:

  • Is the case in good shape?
  • Is there enough air flow?
  • Is the flue outlet clear?
  • Are the gas pipes safe?
  • Are the wires connected well?

Inside the Boiler:

  • Heat exchanger check
  • Burner check
  • Safety parts working?
  • Worn parts?
  • Seals in good shape?

Testing How Well It Works

Gas and Flame Tests:

  • Gas pressure check
  • Flame colour check
  • Flue gas readings
  • Carbon monoxide test
  • How well it uses fuel

Running Tests:

  • Does it start right?
  • Do the safety stops work?
  • Temperature and pressure checks
  • Do the controls work?
  • Is hot water flowing?

Cleaning and Tuning

Cleaning Parts:

  • Burner clean
  • Heat exchanger clean
  • Drain pipe clear
  • Fan check
  • Filter clean or swap

Making It Run Better:

  • Pressure set right
  • Controls fine-tuned
  • Thermostat test
  • Timer check
  • Zone valve check

What We Check

Before We Arrive

To get ready:

  • Clear the area around your boiler
  • Move things away from it
  • Write down any problems you've had
  • Find your papers (warranty, old service records)

How the Service Works

1. First Look (5-10 minutes)

  • We look at your boiler and the area around it
  • We ask about any problems you've had
  • We set up safely
  • We do basic checks

2. Safety Tests (15-20 minutes)

  • Gas leak test
  • Flue test
  • Air flow check
  • Carbon monoxide test
  • Electrical safety check

3. Inside Check (15-20 minutes)

  • We take the cover off
  • We check the heat exchanger and burner
  • We test safety parts
  • We look for worn parts
  • We check seals and joins

4. How Well It Runs (10-15 minutes)

  • We test how well it burns gas
  • We check gas pressure
  • We check temperature and water flow
  • We test the controls
  • We watch it run

5. Cleaning and Adjusting (10-15 minutes)

  • We clean parts that need it
  • We change filters if needed
  • We set the pressure right
  • We tune the controls
  • We make it run at its best

6. Finish Up (5-10 minutes)

  • Full test run
  • Final safety check
  • We fill in your certificate
  • We give you a report
  • We book your next service

When to Get Your Boiler Serviced

Best Times of Year

Good times to book:

  • Late summer - Before winter starts
  • One year from your last service - Keeps warranty valid
  • After winter - After it's worked hard all season
  • Before tenants move in - For rental homes

How Often by Boiler Type

Gas Boilers:

  • Once a year is enough
  • Some warranties need it twice a year
  • Busy boilers may need more checks

Oil Boilers:

  • Yearly service is a must
  • A mid-winter check is a good idea
  • They need more looking after

LPG Boilers:

  • Yearly service is normal
  • We check the tank and pipes too
  • We test the regulator

Problems We Often Find

Small Problems (Easy to Stop)

Low Pressure:

  • Why: Small leaks or bleeding radiators
  • Fix: Top up pressure, fix leaks
  • Stop it: Check pressure often

Dirty Filters:

  • Why: Not cleaned, bad water
  • Fix: Clean or swap the filter
  • Stop it: Check filters each year

Thermostat Problems:

  • Why: Needs resetting, flat battery
  • Fix: Reset it, new battery
  • Stop it: Test and change battery yearly

Bigger Problems (We Catch Early)

Rusty Heat Exchanger:

  • We spot this early so you don't need a new one
  • We may suggest water treatment
  • We may flush your system

Burning Problems:

  • Burner may need adjusting
  • Flue might be blocked
  • Gas pressure might be wrong

Safety Part Faults:

  • Pressure valve test
  • Overheat switch test
  • Flame sensor check

What You Get After

Your Paperwork

After every service, you get:

Service Certificate:

  • Our Gas Safe number
  • Full safety results
  • How well your boiler runs
  • Proof you've had it done

Full Report:

  • How each part looks
  • Test results
  • What we suggest
  • What needs doing first

Next Steps:

  • When to book next
  • What to watch for
  • Tips for each season
  • Our emergency number

What Your Report Means

Safety Status:

  • Pass - Safe to use
  • At Risk - Needs fixing soon
  • Dangerous - Do not use

How Well It Runs:

  • Your current score
  • How it should score
  • How to make it better
  • Ways to save energy

How Much It Costs

Our Prices

Standard Service: £85

  • Full safety check
  • Tests and tune-up
  • Report and certificate
  • 12-month work guarantee

Premium Service: £120

  • All of the above
  • Small repairs included (parts extra)
  • Book repairs faster
  • 24/7 emergency line

Payment Plans:

  • Pay monthly if you like
  • Discounts for many homes
  • Landlord deals
  • Senior discounts

Why It's Worth It

What You Save:

  • 3-5% off fuel bills from tune-ups
  • Avoid breakdowns that cost £300-500
  • Longer boiler life by 5-10 years
  • Keep your warranty worth thousands

Getting Ready

Before We Come

Make Space:

  • Clear path to boiler
  • Move stored items
  • Good light helps
  • Have papers ready

Have This Ready:

  • Any problems to mention
  • Changes you've noticed
  • Old service records
  • Warranty papers

During the Service

What Happens:

  • Our engineer wears a uniform
  • They show you their ID
  • They explain what they're doing
  • It won't disturb you much

Good Questions to Ask:

  • How well is my boiler running?
  • Did you find any problems?
  • What should I do next?
  • When should I book again?

Service Plans

Yearly Plans

Basic Plan:

  • Yearly service booked in
  • Book repairs faster
  • 10% off repairs
  • We remind you when it's due

Full Cover Plans:

  • Yearly service included
  • Parts and work covered
  • Emergency calls included
  • No extra fees

Help Between Services

We also offer:

  • 24/7 emergency phone line
  • Fast response for plan customers
  • Phone help to check problems
  • Emergency repairs

For Landlords

What the Law Says

Gas Safety Rules:

  • Yearly checks are the law
  • You must have a CP12 certificate
  • You must tell tenants
  • You must keep records

Our Landlord Service:

  • We give you the CP12 certificate
  • We book with your tenants
  • We remind you when it's due
  • Discounts for many homes

What You Can Do Yourself

Safe Checks at Home

Every Month:

  • Look for leaks or damage
  • Check the pressure gauge
  • Check thermostat batteries
  • Keep the area clean

Each Season:

  • Bleed radiators (start of winter)
  • Protect the drain pipe (cold weather)
  • Keep space around the boiler
  • Check vents are clear

When to Call Us

Call right away if you notice:

  • Gas smell near the boiler
  • Yellow or orange flames (should be blue)
  • Loud noise or shaking
  • Pressure keeps dropping
  • Heating not working right

Why Pick Us

Birmingham Boiler Repairs

Our Skills:

  • Gas Safe registered
  • Trained by boiler makers
  • Fully insured
  • Always learning new skills

Local Know-How:

  • 15+ years in Birmingham
  • We know local homes
  • Happy customers nearby
  • Fast to get to you

Good Service:

  • We check everything
  • We explain what we found
  • Clear prices
  • You'll be happy or we'll fix it

Watch Out For

Bad Signs:

  • Prices too low (they cut corners)
  • No Gas Safe number
  • No paperwork given
  • Pushy sales
  • No insurance

Don't wait for your boiler to break down. A yearly service keeps it safe and working well. Call Birmingham Boiler Repairs today. Our Gas Safe engineers are ready to help.

Book online or call us. We're here to keep your heating running all year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I service my boiler?

Once a year. This keeps your boiler safe and working well. Most warranties need yearly servicing too.

What's included in a boiler service?

We check safety, test how well it runs, look at all parts, clean it, and give you a report.

How long does a boiler service take?

About 45 to 60 minutes. It depends on your boiler type and if we find any problems.

Book Your Boiler Service

Keep your boiler safe with a yearly service. Gas Safe engineers, fair prices, and a full report.

Need Help Now?

Same-day service available

0800 320 2345

Article Info

Published: 05/12/2024
Reading time: 8 min read
Author: Birmingham Boiler Repairs Team
Gas Safe Approved

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