How to Diagnose the Most Common Heating Problems

A simple guide to resolving heating issues before calling an engineer in Wokingham

If your heating isn’t working properly, it doesn’t always mean you need a full repair. Some boiler issues are quick and easy to fix yourself — saving you time and money.

Below are the top five boiler and heating problems we regularly encounter across homes in Wokingham, Earley, Woodley, and the surrounding areas — along with helpful advice on how to troubleshoot them.

Low Boiler Pressure

Symptom: Heating takes longer to start or boiler doesn't heat water well.

Cause: Possible causes: system leak, air from radiators, defective relief valve.

Solution:

  • Check pressure gauge; it should be at 1-2 bars.

  • Refill boiler following manufacturer's guide.

  • Check pressure gauge; it should be at 1-2 bars.

  • If pressure drops quickly, call a professional to look for leaks or damaged parts.

Boiler Leaks

Symptom: Boiler surrounded by water or leaking.

Cause: Leaks happen due to problems like worn-out seals, rusted pipes, or a cracked heat exchanger.

Solution:

  • Turn off the water supply and the boiler.

  • Check visible pipes and joints for leaks.

  • Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to repair or replace the affected part

No Heating or Hot Water

Symptom: Boiler running, but no hot water or heating.

Cause: Possible reasons: thermostat problems, insufficient water, airlocks or sludge.

Solution:

  • Check if the thermostat is functioning and set accurately.

  • Monitor the boiler pressure and top up if needed.

  • Purge air from radiators by bleeding them.

  • If the problem persists, we may need to check and replace broken parts like motorised valves or actuators.

Frozen Condensate Pipe

Symptom: The boiler shuts down, often accompanied by a gurgling noise.

Cause: The condensate pipe, which removes acidic water from the boiler, can freeze in cold weather.

Solution:

  • To unfreeze the pipe, use warm water or a hot water bottle, not boiling water.

  • Insulate the pipe to stop it from freezing later.

Noisy Boiler (Kettling)

Symptom: The boiler makes a banging or whistling noise, similar to a kettle.

Cause: Kettling is usually caused by sludge build-up on the heat exchanger, which restricts water flow and causes it to overheat.

Solution:

  • Use a descaling product to remove limescale.

  • Install a water softener or Aquabion to prevent future limescale build-up.

  • If the problem persists, have a professional perform a power flush to clean the system