No heating or hot water
The boiler won't fire, or fires and cuts out. Often a failed ignition, gas valve, fan or PCB fault.
Emergency boiler repairs
Boiler broken down? We'll get you warm.
No heating, no hot water, a fault code flashing or a boiler stuck in lockout? Call and speak straight to the Gas Safe registered engineer who'll come out, find the fault and fix it.
Gas Safe registeredPrice agreed before workAll major makes
Common faults
Signs your boiler needs an engineer
Most breakdowns show one of these symptoms. Tell us which one when you call and we'll know what to bring.
Fault code or lockout
The display shows a code and a reset light. The code tells us where to start, so have it ready when you call.
Pressure keeps dropping
Pressure below about 1 bar can trigger a safety lockout. Repeated drops point to a leak, a failing expansion vessel or a faulty pressure relief valve.
Frozen condensate pipe
A classic cold-snap fault: gurgling, then lockout. The acidic condensate freezes in the outside pipe and backs up.
Kettling or banging
A kettle-like rumble usually means limescale or sludge on the heat exchanger, causing water to boil locally.
Leaks, soot or a yellow flame
Water under the boiler, soot marks or a lazy yellow flame on older appliances are warning signs. Turn it off and call. If you smell gas, call 0800 111 999 first.
Smell gas? Don't call us first. Open doors and windows, don't use electrical switches or naked flames, turn off the gas at the meter if it's safe to, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service free on 0800 111 999, 24 hours a day.
The facts
What's actually going on inside your boiler
A few numbers every homeowner should know, taken from the regulations and manufacturers' guidance.
1–1.5 bar
Typical cold pressure
The range most sealed combi systems are set to when cold. Check your boiler's manual for its exact figure.
Source: boiler manufacturers' manuals0800 111 999
Gas emergency line
Free, 24 hours. Call this first if you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide.
Source: National Gas Emergency Service12 months
Service interval
Manufacturers recommend an annual service, and many make it a condition of the warranty.
Source: manufacturer warranty termsBy law
Gas Safe only
Anyone working on a gas appliance for money must be on the Gas Safe Register.
Source: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998Why condensing boilers lock out
Modern condensing boilers recover heat from their flue gases, which produces acidic water (condensate) that drains away through a plastic pipe. When that pipe runs outside in a narrow bore, it can freeze in a cold snap, the condensate backs up, and the boiler shuts itself down to stay safe. Industry guidance recommends larger 32 mm pipe for external runs to reduce the risk.
Why pressure matters
Your heating is a sealed loop. As water heats it expands, and an expansion vessel absorbs that growth. If the vessel loses its air charge or there's a leak, pressure swings too high or too low and the boiler locks out. That's why a boiler that needs regular topping up always has an underlying fault worth fixing.
How it works
From call to warm house
Call the engineer
Tell us the make, the fault code and what's happening. You'll get an honest arrival time.
Diagnose properly
Fault codes, pressure, gas and flue checks. We find the cause, not just the symptom.
Price before work
You get a clear price and explanation before anything is replaced.
Fix and safety test
Repaired, tested for safe combustion and left running, with the paperwork you need.
FAQs
Boiler breakdown questions
Can you fix my boiler today?
Where possible, yes. Call and you'll speak straight to the engineer, who will give you an honest arrival time based on where they are and what's already booked.
How much is a boiler callout?
Weekday call-outs are £120, including diagnosis and the first hour. Evening, weekend and overnight rates are higher, and you'll see your exact price before you book. You'll always be told the price for the repair before any work starts, so there are no surprises.
My boiler pressure is low. Can I top it up myself?
Usually, yes. Most combi boilers have a filling loop, and your manual shows how to bring the pressure back to the level it recommends, commonly around 1 to 1.5 bar when cold. If the pressure keeps dropping, there's a leak or a faulty part, and it needs an engineer.
Is it safe to reset my boiler?
Pressing reset once or twice, following the manufacturer's instructions, is fine. If it keeps locking out, stop and call an engineer. Never remove the boiler casing yourself: only a Gas Safe registered engineer can legally work on gas appliances.
Why does my boiler stop working in freezing weather?
Condensing boilers drain acidic water through a condensate pipe. If that pipe runs outside, it can freeze and block, and the boiler locks out. Pouring warm (not boiling) water over the frozen section often clears it. We can re-route or upsize the pipe so it doesn't happen again.
Do you repair all boiler makes?
We work on most major UK makes, including combi, system and regular boilers. Tell us the make and the fault code when you call and we'll tell you straight away if we can help.
Sources and standards referenced
- Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
- National Gas Emergency Service, 0800 111 999
- Boiler manufacturers' installation and user manuals (pressure and service intervals)
- Heating industry guidance on condensate pipework (32 mm external runs)
Areas covered
Emergency boiler repairs across Trowbridge and West Wiltshire
Based in Trowbridge, covering a 25-mile radius. Not sure if you're covered? Call and ask.
TrowbridgeBathBristolSwindonFromeYeovilBradford on AvonMelkshamWestburyWarminsterDevizesChippenham