Signs That Your Boiler Might Be Dangerous

Is your boiler trying to kill you? No, it’s not a pitch for a series on Channel 5: it’s a serious question. We all know that boilers can develop faults, but many people don’t realise that some of those faults can be dangerous and may even be a threat to your life.

So let’s have a look at some of the key warning signals that your boiler could be a danger to your health.

Infernal Flame

If your boiler is working correctly, it should burn with a clean blue flame. If the flame is predominantly yellow, then there’s a problem. On older boilers the pilot light should be blue too, so if it’s yellow you need to get it checked. Also, if your pilot light constantly goes out, don’t be tempted to just reset it – get it properly looked at by a professional.

Follow Your Nose

If your boiler is working correctly, you shouldn’t notice any smell at all. If you can smell gas, or you can smell fumes when the boiler is running, then it’s a sign that there’s a problem. For a company offering boiler service Gloucester has several, including http://www.hprservicesltd.com/gloucester-boilers/boiler-service-gloucester/. Get them to check it out.

Feeling Poorly

If you are suffering from lots of headaches or are feeling nauseous all the time, particularly when the boiler is running, it could be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide poisoning is serious: it kills around 30 people a year in the UK and injures more than 250. If you are feeling unwell, it’s therefore vital to get your boiler checked. It’s also a good idea to get a carbon monoxide detector to give you early warning of any problems.

Black Marks

One sign of a possible carbon monoxide leak is the presence of soot or black marks on the boiler or in the area around it. If you notice these signs, switch off the boiler straight away and get it checked by a Gas Safe engineer.

Just because your boiler has a fault doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dangerous. However, some faults can be deadly. If you suspect a problem therefore it’s always best to have your boiler checked. Having it serviced annually is a good way of ensuring that it is running smoothly and that any developing faults are spotted early.