We may be over the worst of the harsh winter weather but this is the UK after all, so expect more rain and chilly evenings for the next few months! Most of us rely on central heating to keep our homes warm and dry, so it can be highly inconvenient if there's a problem in your system.
A central heating leak can cause significant water damage and it can also stop your heating system from working, leaving you with an unpleasantly cold and damp home. It's important to be aware of the signs of a leaking central heating system so that you can act fast, so if you notice any of the signs below, call a professional straight away.
A dripping boiler
The most obvious sign of a central heating leak is if you notice water dripping from your boiler. You may see droplets falling if the leak is moderate, or if you suspect something isn't right, check underneath the boiler for water puddles or damp patches. A leaking boiler is highly inconvenient, but it can also be dangerous and lead to serious issues if left untreated, so call a leak specialist or trained gas engineer straight away.
Leaking radiator valves
Faulty radiator valves will cause the valves to leak and are a common symptom of a central heating leak. As the water runs outside of the pipe at the point where the pipe meets the valve it will most likely run under the floorboards. This can be subtle and hard to spot, so some homeowners tie a tissue or small piece of cloth around the valve and check in a few days to see if it's damp. Faulty valves need to be replaced professionally to reduce the chances of them leaking in the future.
Dropping pressure
Unfortunately, some leaks are very difficult to detect, such as those under floorboards or from pipes hidden in walls or buried in a concrete subfloor. You may notice some damp patches, but another way to identify a potential central heating leak is by keeping an eye on your pressure gauge. If the water pressure from your boiler keeps dropping (especially if it drops so low that the boiler switches itself off), and you are continually topping up the system, this is a sure sign that there's a leak somewhere.
If after filling the system the the pressure drops within a period of 24 hours or less then call a leak detection specialist as soon as possible.
If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, professional central heating leak detection can help confirm the cause quickly and accurately.
Speak to the team at Leak Tracers Direct to arrange specialist, non-invasive leak detection using advanced equipment designed to locate even hard-to-find heating leaks with minimal disruption.
For complete peace of mind, we can also coordinate insurance claim support and, where authorised, arrange approved repairs for any resulting water damage to floors, ceilings or walls.Get in touch today to discuss your next steps.