Unless you enjoy having a cold shower in the morning and wrapping up in 100's of blankets during the winter, a fully functioning central heating system is crucial to a comfortable home.
Unfortunately for us as homeowners, however, central heating systems are prone to breakdown...
And whilst it's frustrating when they do break down, 99% of the time it can be attributed to one common problem, your boiler's central heating pump has broken.
Below we've outlined the common signs that suggest this has happened, and the common reasons for why it breaks and what to do next.
What are the signs of a faulty central heating system?
If your central heating system is displaying any of the below signs, there's a good chance that your central heating pump has broken...
- Poor heating performance
- Strange noises coming from your boiler
- Radiators are colder than others
Why does the central heating pump break
The central heating pump is responsible for the circulation of water in the boiler unit, so it's the main thing that connects your boiler to your warm morning shower.
In other words, it works hard.
There are a couple of reasons why it might break down...
Your boiler's pump has worn out
The central heating pump is expected to last at least a decade, maybe even up to 15-20 years, but if it has been overused during that time then there's a good chance that it will need to be replaced well before then.
There's no power in the pump
Sometimes there might a problem with the fuse or central heating wiring, which you'll need to call a Gas Safe registered engineer to help fix.
There's sludge/debris in the pump
If you haven't powerflushed your central heating system, and/or don't service your boiler on an annual basis, sludge/debris can collect within your boiler's pump, which can cause it to break down.
Your central heating pump is leaking
Sometimes the pump can corrode. This can happen through general use and through a lack of activity - you can resolve this by switching your boiler on during the summer months at least once a week.
There's an airlock in the pump
You can remove trapped air by removing the head screw on the pump with a flat screwdriver (we'd definitely recommend hiring a Gas Safe engineer if you're not sure how to do this).
Get in touch if you need your central heating system fixed
If you've noticed that your central heating isn't working like it should, i.e. poor heating performance, strange noises coming from your boiler, certain radiators working at a colder temperature than others, give us a call on 07919 156562 or send us a message through our contact form and we'll be more than happy to come out and take a look.