Do you know the main reasons that you need boiler maintenance? While quality boiler installation, timely boiler repair, and experienced technicians who know when you need a boiler replacement are all essential, these are often held in higher regard than regular boiler maintenance. In fact, this maintenance is often overlooked until the need for a boiler repair or replacement arises. 

At A & L Services, we know just how essential it is to have boiler maintenance performed, and we are proud to offer the highest quality boiler services in your area. If you are curious about the reasons behind the need for this service, keep reading! We have compiled a list of the most notable benefits you can expect from having this completed consistently. 

1. Catch Minor Boiler Repair Needs Early

When you invest in boiler maintenance on a regular basis, you provide the opportunity for technicians to spot areas that need boiler repair early on. It is inevitable that your unit will need some upkeep during its lifespan, and having it maintained can give you an accurate heads up when some of these services may become due. This allows you to budget when maintenance and repairs need to be completed ahead of time, and it keeps you from being completely blindsided! 

2. Prevent Major Boiler Repair Needs

In addition to catching minor issues early on, regular boiler maintenance can help to prevent major boiler repair needs as well. Addressing the smaller problems as they arise keeps the repair of your unit a lot more manageable. This also can assist with avoiding a major catastrophe that causes the need for a shutdown or a shutoff. In some cases, boiler repair needs are so extensive that they actually require a replacement, but preventing these problems to begin with can save you that headache. 

3. Save Money on Boiler Services

When you are maintaining and repairing your boiler along the way, you often spend less money to keep your boiler operational. As we have already mentioned, regular boiler maintenance catches problems early on. This keeps them from advancing to bigger problems that are more expensive to repair, and that can end up causing even more issues. Maintenance is a lot more manageable on a budget than repair and replacement. 

4. Cut Down Utility Costs with Boiler Maintenance

In addition to saving money by avoiding needing to have extensive repairs or even replacements, regular maintenance can save you money on your utility bills. This is because maintenance keeps your boiler running at its fullest potential capacity and doing so efficiently. This efficiency means less energy is required to operate your boiler, which saves you money!

5. Extend the Lifetime of Your Boiler

One last way that boiler maintenance is beneficial is the fact that it can extend the lifetime of your boiler. When you take care of something, it lasts longer. The same is true for your boiler. By regularly maintaining your unit, you are taking care of it and addressing problems that arise quickly so more detrimental issues cannot occur. This means that your boiler will last much longer, and will save you the cost and the headache of shopping for a boiler replacement sooner than you really should have to. 

How A & L Services Can Help

If you have found yourself searching for “Boiler Maintenance Near Me,” look no further than A & L Services. We have experience maintaining, servicing, repairing, and replacing boilers all around Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Cheshire, Shropshire, the West Midlands, and surrounding areas. Our team is knowledgeable and capable of handling any of your boiler needs. Get in touch with us today to see what we can do for you! 

Chances are, as a homeowner (or even as a renter), you will most likely run into some sorts of plumbing problems at some point in your life. While all plumbing problems are frustrating to deal with, some can be minor fixes and some can be major catastrophes. 

Whether a big issue or small, there are some plumbing problems that are more common than others. We have put together this list of the most common potential issues that you may run into so that you can be better prepared for plumbing repair and plumbing services you might require. Let’s check them out. 

Leaky Faucets

Drip. Drip. Drip. The consistent choir of water droplets sings out from your kitchen sink. Your leaky faucet is certainly not the concert that you were hoping to attend, and the constant nagging noise is starting to drive you crazy. Leaks in kitchen or bathroom sinks are unfortunately pretty common and they can be caused by a number of different sources. 

While you may be able to fix the problem yourself by tightening a few things here and there, if you don’t really know your way around plumbing fixtures, it may be a better idea to contact an expert in order to prevent causing bigger plumbing problems. 

Slow Sinks

While sink drains usually operate pretty smoothly, allowing the water to flow down through the pipes quickly, sometimes this is not the case. Many circumstances can lead to sinks draining slowly. In kitchen sinks, build-ups of grease or bits of food are quite common. In bathroom sinks, build-ups of styling products or hair are common as well.

While sometimes a common drain snake can help remove these obstacles, there are some scenarios where the blockage is out of reach of such a tool, and a professional needs to assist. 

Clogged Toilet

It has happened to the best of us, the toilet that just won’t flush. Usually, this is caused by a combination of excrement and toilet paper, but sometimes it may be due to a rowdy youngster putting some toys or other objects down the toilet that don’t belong. 

Clogged toilets are typically a quick fix, simply use a plunger until the clog is cleared. If this doesn’t work, however, you may be in need of professional help. 

Running Toilet

Though a constantly running toilet may not seem like a huge deal, it can actually end up wasting a vast amount of water and raising your utility bill tremendously. This is usually caused by a faulty flapper valve, which may not always form the proper seal that it needs in order to control the water flow from the tank to the bowl. 

There are plumbing repair kits you can buy for this, but sometimes all it requires is a little jiggle of the handle to fix. If this problem is consistent, and you think there may be more to it, there is no harm in asking an expert. 

How A & L Services Can Help

There are many more common plumbing issues that you may run into as a homeowner (or renter!), however, these are the most common plumbing problems that you are most likely to face. By having regular plumbing services done on your fixtures, and keeping an eye on how everything is working, you can likely prevent bigger plumbing problems from occurring.

If you have found yourself searching for plumbers in Newcastle or plumbing services near Staffordshire, look no further! A & L Services offers plumbing repair in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Cheshire, Shropshire, the West Midlands, and surrounding areas! Have more questions, or need some plumbing help? Contact A & L Services today! 

Are you in need of boiler repair? In the heat of the summer, after you have been outside sweating all day, there is truly nothing better than coming home and taking a hot shower to wash the day off of you. That warm water soothes your muscles and makes all the grime disappear in a way that a cold shower just can’t quite match. Imagine your disappointment, then, when you come home to water that simply will not heat up. If you have been experiencing issues with your boiler, and it has not been functioning quite as well as it should, it may be time to call in the pros at A & L Services for some expert boiler repair. 

When to Repair

There are a few telltale signs that it may be time to repair your boiler. If you have noticed that your water is taking longer to heat up, or it is not getting as hot as you would like it to, your boiler is clearly not doing its job and should be looked at and repaired. If your water pressure seems to be weaker than it typically is, this could also indicate that there is something amiss with your boiler. In addition, if there are unusual noises, drips or leaks, or signal lights, these are all indications that you are in need of boiler repair. 

When you think something may be up with your boiler, it’s a good idea to call in the professionals as soon as possible. The experts at A & L Services can assist with determining where the source of the problem lies and can handle whatever boiler repair you need to be done. While running into problems with your boiler can be frustrating and intimidating, you can trust that you’re in good hands with us. Addressing your boiler repair can be a seamless and relatively stress-free process.  

When to Replace

Sometimes, a repair will not suffice. When you have kept up with regular maintenance and have given boiler repair a try, but your water isn’t heating as it should be, it may be time for a replacement. Shopping around for a new boiler can be overwhelming, however, as there are many options for you to consider. For this reason, some homeowners tend to push it off for as long as possible. At A & L Services, we are here to help. You can schedule a free consultation, and we help you decide what boiler replacement is best for you! 

If you have not noticed any major issues yet, but your boiler is 10-15 years old, it still may be a good idea to get a new one. Even though something is functionally working, that does not guarantee that it is still operating efficiently or up to the same standards as an updated version is. Having your boiler replaced when it reaches this age, even without consistent problems, can help you avoid experiencing any major issues with your hot water supply. Sometimes this is the best choice to save yourself from a headache, and to save yourself some money! 

Boiler Maintenance

In order to prevent the need for extensive boiler repair, it is recommended that you have your boiler regularly maintained or serviced. This entails a professional inspecting your boiler to ensure that it is in optimal working condition and that nothing needs to be repaired or replaced. Having boiler services like this completed on a regular basis helps prevent major catastrophes from happening, and can help catch any potential problems early on. In addition, consistent maintenance and service on your boiler can extend its lifespan. 

How A & L Services Can Help

If you are looking for boiler repair in Newcastle under Lyme or boiler services near Staffordshire, you have come to the right place. A & L Services boiler repair, boiler maintenance, boiler replacement, and boiler services in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Cheshire, Shropshire, the West Midlands, and surrounding areas. We have over three decades of experience and we aim for 100% customer satisfaction every time. Whatever your boiler needs are, we will get the job done, and we will get it done right. 

Is your boiler making strange noises? Have you found yourself stuck with no hot water? Or has your heating suddenly stopped working? These may be signs that your boiler keeps losing pressure… but panic not. It is one of the most common faults our team of Gas Safety Engineers are called out to resolve. Many of our customers contact us as an emergency when they are in this situation for the first time because they simply don’t know what to look for, or how serious it is if their boiler keeps losing pressure.

A & L Services U.K. Ltd – Heating and Plumbing have provided expert plumbing and heating services in and around Stoke on Trent for decades, and here, we are going to share some of our knowledge and experience with you. 

You will learn a few reasons why your boiler keeps losing pressure; why it is so important to keep an eye on it if you notice your boiler pressure dropping; how you can help yourself by staying on top of your combi boiler pressure; and finally, why calling in the experts is the safest thing to do if your boiler keeps losing pressure even after you have followed our steps to repressurise your boiler, or if you think there is something more sinister.

What is boiler pressure?

When a boiler is installed, the engineer sets the boiler pressure correctly to ensure the heating and water systems are working efficiently and effectively. Boiler pressure is the balance of water and air within the sealed system. You can find the pressure reading quite simply by looking at the front of the boiler, near the main controls.

The boiler pressure gauge is usually a dial with numbers, and often green and red sections. To function normally, constant boiler water pressure is required, and should be within the green section or the needle showing between 1 – 1.5 bars on the dial.

No matter how old your boiler or full heating system is, it will lose water pressure over time. And it is quite normal to expect to repressurise your boiler (or top up the water pressure) at least once or twice per year. However, if you notice your boiler’s pressure gauge dropping repeatedly, staying consistently low, or a sudden drastic drop of pressure, there could be something more which will need investigating.

A & L Services can help you out if you are in any doubt, with our boiler service and boiler repair, to give you the comfort that you will not be left with cold water and no heating on those chilly evenings. If your boiler keeps losing pressure, we are the ones to call.

Possible reasons why your boiler keeps losing pressure

There could be numerous possible reasons as to why your boiler keeps losing pressure:

Pressure relief valve (PRV) discharge pipe or Expansion Vessel are faulty. There could be small drips coming from the PRV pipe, and this is the first area professional engineers will look for signs of a leak.

If it is leaking, do not try to block the leak. It is a safety valve and will need replacing. An expert will also check the expansion valve for any signs of damage or leaks at the same time, so it’s far safer to call us in for an inspection at this point.  

Leaks in the radiators, towel rails, radiator valves or pipes. Corrosion, rust or limescale build up can cause leaks. It is relatively easy to spot these leaks and is always worth checking all the radiator valves and joints, as it will be more cost effective if more than one needs replacing to do them all at the same time.

If your radiators are aged or beyond repair and need replacing, A & L Services can provide you with a free quotation as part of our wider plumbing services. Simply contact us to request a quote, and we will make sure your heating doesn’t let you down when you need it!

Boiler joints have become rusty and leaking where there is a weak point. As above, if you spot a leak where one joint has failed, do a thorough inspection, as there could be additional weak spots. A Gas Safe Engineer will need to solder the joint to seal it once again and balance the pressure back to normal. 

Automatic air vent is leaking. Air pockets can collect in your central heating system. This is the reason radiators need bleeding from time to time, to release the air pressure and bring back to the normal balance of air and water within the system. But there is also an auto air vent to help stabilise it. If this is leaking, then it could be the reason your boiler keeps losing pressure.

Pressure gauge isn’t working properly. This could be quite dangerous, especially if you continue to top up the pressure in your system. Monitor the pressure carefully, and if there are no visible leaks from anywhere else in the heating system, then you must contact an engineer to resolve as soon as possible.

If you are in any doubt about your boiler or central heating and hot water system, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team of experts to book an appointment. They can instantly assess the fault and put it right for you efficiently and safely. 

Is low boiler pressure dangerous?

As I mentioned earlier, loss of boiler pressure is one of the most common faults we are called out for. It’s often nothing to be too concerned about and can be easily fixed by a check of all elements within the boiler and heating system and then repressurising. But if your boiler keeps losing pressure and you are having to do this frequently, then it’s likely there is a leak somewhere which needs fixing.

A loss of pressure when the heating is on indicates there could be a small leak. But if the boiler loses pressure when the heating is off, this could be a sign of a more serious leak. A gradual loss of pressure could simply be because your radiators have not been bled for some time.

If the boiler water pressure becomes too low, the safety mechanism will switch the boiler off to prevent overheating, so is not overly dangerous if the fault is found and rectified.

How to repressurise your boiler

Before you attempt to repressurise your boiler, you must refer to your specific manufacturer’s manual, and carefully follow instructions. Not all boilers are the same, and some require tools to access and remove panels. If this is the case for your boiler, you must call an engineer to do this, do not attempt it yourself.

If yours is a boiler which is safe to repressurise, that means allowing more water to enter the system from the water mains, via what is known as a ‘filling loop,’ the following steps are usually required:

1. Switch off your boiler and allow it to cool.
2. Find your filling loop (usually a silver flexi pipe). Ensure both ends of the filling loop are attached securely.
3. Allow cold mains water into the system by opening both valves. You will hear the gushing sound as it flows through.
4. The pressure gauge will increase to 1.5 on the scale.
5. Close each valve, one first, then the other.
6. Turn your boiler back on, and press the ‘reset’ button, if required.
7. Undo both ends of the filling loop. As you remove the ends, watch for water spillage. Top tip: keep your filling loop in a safe place.

Baxi is one of the most well-known and preferred boiler providers, who show you in a video here how to repressurise your boiler if you are confident to do it yourself.

Conversely, if your boiler pressure rises above 2.75 bars, this indicates too much pressure. Bleeding your radiators may be a solution to releasing pressure from your boiler, but it may also indicate a fault within the boiler. It can be a timely and potentially dangerous task if you are not experienced, due to the high pressure and temperature of the water. See later why calling the experts could save you unnecessary concern.

What to do if your boiler keeps losing pressure after following our steps

If you are not so confident about following the steps above to repressurise your boiler, and want to ensure your system is thoroughly checked, any issues resolved, or if you have tried it on numerous occasions, and you still have the same problem where your boiler keeps losing pressure, then we would recommend arranging an appointment with one of our engineers.

Our team of professional, friendly Gas Safe Engineers here at A & L Services will clearly explain the problem, how we will rectify it, and will also spot any potential problems too before they start to cost, both financially and in terms of inconvenience.

As a family run business, with our engineers and plumbers based in Stoke on Trent, we know how important it is that you and your own family can rely on a local business like us to be there not only in your times of need, but also to maintain your plumbing, boiler, and central heating system on a regular basis, which we do as part of our boiler servicing offer. 

But, if you continue to notice your combi boiler keeps losing pressure, and can see no leaks, it could also be time to consider a replacement. If you are experiencing other faults and are not confident your boiler will last much longer, maybe reading this article from Which? five signs you need a new boiler will confirm your thoughts.

The cost of repeat, sometimes emergency, call outs and the inconvenience of losing hot water or heating, just when you need it most, will be far outweighed by a new boiler which you’ll once again be able to take for granted will never let you down.

We will respond to your queries if your boiler keeps losing pressure or provide you with a quote and install the most up to date and appropriate new boiler package (and anything in between!) And with decades of experience, we are your local plumbing and heating experts who pride ourselves in delivering an honest, reliable service, with an excellent 5 Star reputation across Stoke on Trent, Shropshire, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, West Midlands, and the surrounding areas.  Contact us today for a free quotation, and we guarantee 100% customer satisfaction for all your plumbing and heating needs.

Many of our customers ask the question as to whether a boiler service is worth it in terms of the time and effort of arranging an appointment, then being at home at the time the engineer is due to arrive, and obviously the cost involved. But when they tell us they have problems with their boiler losing pressure, or that their energy bills are soaring, our first response is to ask whether they can afford not to?

A Which? ‘boiler reliability’ survey highlighted that of the 7,500 owners questioned, about two thirds of the boilers serviced annually never needed a repair. So, here you’re going to find out why an annual boiler service could be one of your best investments.

The benefits of a regular boiler service

There are several reasons why keeping on top of your boiler maintenance is strongly advised. And, scheduling your boiler service with an expert plumber will be more beneficial than you may realise.

1. In a domestic residence, whilst there is no legal requirement to have your boiler serviced, you do still have a duty of care to yourself and your loved ones, to make sure they are safe and sound in your home. Carbon Monoxide can cause serious illness (or worse) if it leaks, and is one of the checks we include within a service. So, we would recommend an annual inspection of all gas appliances and an annual boiler service as a safety precaution even if for no other reason.
2. If you rent out your property however, a valid annual Gas Safety Check is legally required to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which includes an inspection of all gas appliances and flues.
3. Have you noticed your energy bills are soaring? What many people don’t realise is that a boiler service can save money on your energy bills in the long run. During the service, amongst other steps, we check your boiler is running efficiently, to see if your boiler is losing pressure or leaking water, which is something you might not be able to see yourself. It takes an expert eye to trace these issues and they could be the root cause of high energy bills.
4. Not only can a boiler service save money on your energy bills though. Regular expert maintenance gives you the peace of mind that your boiler will simply kick in ready for the winter, even after the heating has been off during the warmer months. It could save you a much bigger repair bill by scheduling your annual service before the winter sets in, than if we are called out to get your boiler back up and running in an emergency.
5. An annual service will alert the engineer to any faults. Corrosion of the seals and pipes is one thing that you are unlikely to spot yourself. Would you even think to check for it if it seems everything is running fine? Probably not, but we are experienced in looking for such problems, and can pick up on any potential issues which may lead to an emergency boiler repair if not resolved.
6. Another reason for an annual boiler service is to keep your boiler warranty valid. It may also assist in any insurance claims if you can provide evidence that you have done all you can to keep your house safely maintained.
7. A new boiler could be an unexpected and unwelcome cost, so our final reason for an annual boiler service is that it will keep your boiler running perfectly over a longer period of time. So, what may seem like a short-term inconvenience could turn out to be a major benefit overall.

When is the best time to schedule my boiler service?

Now you’ve seen the benefits of regular maintenance of your boiler, now is the perfect time to get your annual service booked in.

If you have young children, are elderly or have certain medical conditions, central heating and hot water are not just a “nice to have,” they are a necessity. So, to be without either for even a short period can be more than a little inconvenient and uncomfortable.

Leaving it until the colder weather can be risky, as you can almost guarantee hundreds of families will have done the same. Plus, we are likely to be called out to boiler repairs and breakdowns on emergency callouts.

So, we highly recommend scheduling your annual boiler service from spring onwards. You will then stay ahead of the rush every year, confident that you can just flick the switch to heat the house once again through the autumn winter months.

That sounds great, how can I book my boiler service?

Here at A & L Services U.K. Ltd – Heating and Plumbing, we are a family business. We know how busy you are but also how important it is to make tasks such as booking appointments quick and easy. So, that’s exactly how we have made our online booking system.

You can be in control of arranging the date and time of your appointment, so we fit in with your schedule, not the other way around. And we guarantee competitive pricing with honest and friendly advice from all our Gas Safe engineers.

A boiler service should take between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the findings and any work needed to repair or resolve issues. So for the peace of mind you will gain, we hope you agree, it really isn’t worth putting it off any longer, or avoiding it completely.

Why choose A & L Services U.K. Ltd – Heating and Plumbing for my boiler service?

If you are looking for tradespeople of any kind, you will be advised to seek three quotations, and we are incredibly happy to be one of your three. We are confident that using A & L Services U.K. Ltd – Heating and Plumbing will leave you 100% satisfied in terms of customer service, our high standards of workmanship, great value for money, and the fact that we speak to you in a way you will understand!

We are the experts, so you don’t need to be. In fact, once you have contacted us – either by booking online or calling us – you can leave everything else to our team of highly qualified, trusted, and professional engineers.

If you are in or around the Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cheshire, Shropshire, and the West Midlands areas, we will be able to take care of your heating and plumbing needs.

From repairing your leaking boiler, getting your heating back up and running, to carrying out your annual boiler service, contact us as we are the local heating and plumbing team to keep you and your loved ones safe and warm at home.

Have you noticed water leaking from your boiler? Leaking water is a clear sign that you are in need of boiler repair, and you should speak to a professional engineer as soon as possible. Even a small leak can be an indication of a serious problem that could lead to a complete boiler breakdown.

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To help you find the perfect central heating solution for your property, we have taken a closer look at some top tips for choosing a new boiler.

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