Baxi Boiler Repair in Deal (38)

According to Baxi themselves, your boiler should last somewhere between 10 to 15 years – as long as you have it serviced once a year and keep it well looked after.

The exact life expectancy of your Baxi boiler will depend on a number of factors, but here are some ways to maximise the life of your boiler:

• Make sure you have your boiler serviced by a registered Gas Safe engineer once a year

• Regularly check your boiler to make sure it’s working properly and the pressure gauge is showing the right amount pressure

• If you notice any unusual noises or poor performance from your boiler, check for error messages and call a Baxi boiler engineer as soon as you can (the quicker you respond to issues, the less likely they are to cause long term damage to your boiler)

• Clean your boiler regularly using a soft, damp cloth to wipe the boiler case and let it dry – it’s also important to keep any air vents, grilles and flues free from blockages.

When do I need to replace my Baxi boiler?

There are a number of tell-tale signs that could indicate that it’s time to replace your Baxi boiler. They include:

• Your boiler frequently breaks down or needs repair work

• It keeps losing pressure

• It takes a long time for your radiators to heat up

• There’s poor water pressure for your hot water

• Hot water is coming out cold or warm instead of hot

• The boiler is making unusual noises

Should you notice any of the signs above, it’s a good idea to start by calling a local Baxi boiler repair engineer or experienced heating engineer. They might be able to fix the problem(s) you’re experiencing.

If not, they will advise you if it’s time to replace your boiler.

If you’re having issues with your Baxi boiler, there are a number of common problems that you could be experiencing.

The first step is to check if your Baxi boiler control panel is showing an error code. If so, this will tell you exactly what the problem is.

Some issues you might be able to resolve yourself. Other problems will require the assistance of a Gas Safe registered engineer to come out and fix your Baxi boiler for you.

Common Baxi error codes

Your Baxi boiler user guide should have a full list of all error codes, but here are some of the most common error codes

• E28 or E133: Frozen condensate pipe – The condensate pipe moves waste acidic water away from the boiler and usually runs outside into a drain, making it susceptible to freezing.

• H.02 - .06: Water leaking – There are various reasons why your boiler could be leaking and the location of the leak will help determine the issue, but it will most likely be caused by a broken internal component, such as a pump seal or pressure valve.

• E133 (or 3 red flashes): Failing to ignite – One of the most common reasons for a Baxi boiler failing to ignite is boiler lockout, which happens when there’s an issue that could potential cause damage if the boiler itself so it stops itself from operating as a safety measure. Common causes of a Baxi boiler locking out include:

• Overheating (error code 110)

• Fan fault (error code 160)

• Flue overheating (error code E131)

• An issue with the printed circuit board (error code E168)

• E50, E54, E133: No hot water – If you’re not getting hot water then it’s probably an issue with a faulty, worn or stuck diverter valve, which lets water into the heat exchanger when you turn on the hot tap.

• 128: Broken burner – You’ll often notice issues with a broken burner because you’ll hear loud noises coming from your Baxi boiler. That said, to understand exactly what the issue is you’ll need to hire a Gas Safe registered engineer to look inside the boiler.

Pressure bar showing less than 1 bar: Low boiler pressure – This is an easy one to spot, as your pressure gauge should be between 1.0 and 2.0. Anything under or over that mark shows there’s an issue, and a drop in pressure is a pretty common issue.

If you notice a sudden drop in pressure you could have a leak in your heating system – if so, turn off your water supply and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer immediately.

Baxi recommends that you have your boiler services once a year, to keep it in good working order. That way you can have peace of mind that your Baxi boiler is in good condition and the servicing engineer should be able to highlight any possible issues that might need rectifying.

It’s important to make sure that the tradesperson carrying out the service on your Baxi boiler is a Gas Safe registered engineer.

In the UK, it’s a legal requirement that anyone working on gas appliances be actively registered on the Gas Safe Register – you can easily check online using the Gas Safe Register website directory.

What does a Baxi boiler service include?

A Baxi boiler service will give your boiler the equivalent of a car MOT, checking all the main components of your boiler and the associated pipework.

A standard Baxi boiler service should take roughly half an hour to complete and then you should be issued with a full service report. Only sign this report if you are happy with every element of the service your boiler has received.

As part of the service, the engineer will check that your Baxi boiler has been installed and positioned correctly. They will then carry out a number of checks to make sure the boiler is operating as it should.

The service will include the following checks:

• Gas pressure and flow

• Combustion to check the right mixture of gas and air is being burned

• Ensure all key components are free of blockages, including flue, condensate trap and pipe

• Water and gas pipework is all clear and in good condition

• Fans, safety devices and other key components are working properly

• All seals and electrical connections are clean and in good condition

Should the servicing engineer find any issues with your Baxi boiler during their checks, they should inform you and clearly explain any repair or maintenance work that is needed.

Ideally, the boiler engineer should source any parts from Baxi or a reputable alternative manufacturer.

What are the benefits of a Baxi boiler service?

Here are some of the reasons why it’s a good idea to have your Baxi boiler serviced regularly each year:

• It ensures your boiler is always working efficiently

• Gas appliances can cause a safety hazard if they aren’t working properly, and regularly servicing will help avoid unnecessary boiler issues

• Most boiler warranties require that your boiler is serviced annually by a registered Gas Safe engineer

• Services can spot minor issues before they turn into more major, expensive problems and will mean your boiler is less likely to break down

• Regular boiler service ensure that your boiler has optimum energy efficiency

Your Baxi boiler pressure should ideally be between 1.0 and 2.0, but a drop in boiler pressure is a common issue, and one that can be caused by a number of issues.

Here are some of the most common reasons why your Baxi combi boiler pressure could be dropping:

• A buildup of air in your heating system, which happens naturally over time – you might notice that you can feel cold spots in your radiator (that’s the air patches between the hot water).

• There’s a leak somewhere in your central heating system, which means you’ll need to check your pipework, radiators and radiator valves for any signs of a leak (such as staining, rust or drips).

• A faulty or damaged expansion vessel inside the boiler, which may need recharging or replacing – a job that needs to be done by a registered Gas Safe engineer.

• An issue with the pressure relief valve that discharges water if the pressure in the system gets too high. If you notice that the valve is dripping with water and your boiler pressure has dropped then your Gas Safe registered engineer will need to clean out or replace the pressure relief valve.

What do I do if my Baxi boiler pressure keeps dropping?

A slow and gradual decrease in pressure is natural for any central heating system. All you need to do is top up the boiler pressure (usually once or twice a year) using the pressure valve – see your Baxi boiler user guide to locate the valve on your boiler.

However, if you notice a sudden drop in pressure then it’s most likely an issue with your boiler or central heating system. In that case, contact a local Gas Safe engineer or Baxi boiler engineer as soon as possible to come and check your boiler system.

Find out more in our guide on how to repressurise a boiler.