Whether it’s gas or water that’s involved, a boiler leak is no small thing. Your boiler contains a number of seals and fixings that, when it’s working properly, mean that no water should escape the unit. If you’re seeing a leak, that means something’s gone wrong and you’ll almost always need the expertise of a Gas Safe registered engineer to resolve the problem.
Keep reading to learn more about this kind of boiler fault.
What can cause a water leak in my boiler?
If you’re currently experiencing a water leak in your boiler, you should know that in the majority of cases, you shouldn’t attempt to repair it yourself. A Gas Safe engineer will methodically check possible causes of the problem and do whatever needs to be done in order to make the boiler safe and usable once more, so there’s no need for you to try investigating or fixing the issue without the proper expertise. In fact, doing so could cause more damage or invalidate any warranty on the product.
However, knowing some possible causes of water leaks in a boiler can help you to understand the importance of proper care and maintenance, and it may help you to spot potential problems before they result in a leak.
High boiler pressure
One potential cause of a water leak coming from your boiler is having too much pressure in the system. All boilers are fitted with a pressure relief valve (PRV) that can respond to high levels by releasing some excess pressure. In order for the pressure to be released, this valve can’t be sealed – so in times of high pressure, water might also escape.
This is the one cause of a leaking boiler that can be resolved at home. You can diagnose a high pressure boiler by locating the pressure gauge on the casing (check your manual if you’re not sure) and taking a reading. If the pressure reads at over 2.75 bars, it’s too high and you need to release some pressure for the boiler to function correctly.
To do this, you’ll need to switch your heating off, let your heating system cool down and bleed your radiators. Once you’ve done that, turn the heating back on, check that the radiators are heating up and check the boiler pressure again. This should have resolved the issue, though if your pressure is now too low, you may need to repressurise the system.
Important! If bleeding the radiators doesn’t solve your high pressure problem or the pressure gauge isn’t reporting high pressure, do not attempt any more repairs or investigative measures. Call a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect your boiler and let them know what, if anything, you’ve tried so far.
Damaged components
From here on out, we’re into the kinds of issues you need a qualified engineer to sort out. One such problem is that you might have a damaged component (or multiple) somewhere within your boiler system. When a component becomes damaged, it may begin to leak water through the compromised area.
Unfortunately, when this happens, it’s not just an isolated problem. Water leaking onto other components within your boiler system could cause them to corrode and, eventually, spring new leaks. That’s why it’s important to have your water leak repaired as soon as possible – and if a part can’t be repaired, it should be replaced.
Faulty sealant
Sealant is so named because it seals gaps within your boiler system where substances – i.e., gas or water – could otherwise escape. In a properly working system, this prevents leaks and ensures the efficiency of your boiler. However, if the sealant becomes faulty, either through damage or wear, gas or water could leak from the boiler.
Problems like corrosion, faulty sealant and damaged components can all be spotted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer during a boiler service, which is one reason why it’s crucial to have one done regularly. This can make it easier to find and fix problems before they cause more serious issues like leaks.
Corroded pipes
Just as sealant is meant to protect against leaks where two components join, the pipes that carry water into and out of your boiler need to be completely intact in order to be efficient. Over time, though, the metal of your pipes can corrode, allowing holes or splits to form. Water can then escape from the pipes.
As we’ve mentioned, a leak in another component of your boiler could lead to this kind of corrosion due to water exposure. But it can also happen in other circumstances of water exposure, such as condensation forming on the pipes. Corrosion can develop without you noticing the problem until a leak has formed.
Poor installation
Last but not least, a leak could develop due to your boiler being installed incorrectly. This could be an immediate leak, where something simply hasn’t been fitted well. Alternatively, it could be a problem that lies hidden for a while until your usage becomes too much for the poorly installed aspect to continue functioning.
This sort of leak is the last thing you want to be worrying about when you have a new boiler fitted, which is why it’s vital that you have the job done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. These specialists have the know-how to do it safely, efficiently and as quickly as possible with the aim of minimising disruption to your routine.
What to do if your boiler is leaking water
If your boiler is leaking water and it’s not a high pressure issue – or bleeding the radiators hasn’t helped – call a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Think of it this way: by fiddling about with your boiler you’re more likely to cause more damage than to fix the problem, and you may invalidate any warranties, guarantees or insurance policies associated with the unit. A Gas Safe engineer is qualified to get the job done safely and is much less expensive in the long run than attempting repairs yourself or simply ignoring the problem.
