Gas boilers

[David A]

My dearest mother at Christmas told me I should get my gas boiler serviced so I don't die (then lots of stories about her across the road that nearly died blah blah blah). Still it sounds fairly sensible, however, who do you call for this - local plumber?, Centrica?, someone else? What do they do? How much should it cost? What qualifications do they need?

Any pointers from resident boiler experts appreciated. And anyone in the farnborough area who wants to give me a quote for it even better

Dave

[ferg]

Anyone Corgi registered can do it.


www.corgi-gas-safety.com/section_gas_law/about_installer_find_installer.asp

[JoolzB]

David A said:

My dearest mother at Christmas told me I should get my gas boiler serviced so I don't die

I was told by the bloke who serviced mine that the chances of escaping gasses are quite remote since the boiler wouldn't start up unless it was sealed properly, it requires a vacuum in the unit to fire up apparently. It's still worth having it serviced tho I was told by matey just to keep it clean and running smoothly.

[tvrbob]

As said above it is very unlikely that CO would escape into your house. That said it is also unrealistic to think that getting a service would totally prevent it. If you are concerned about CO in your house then buy a CO detector, it's the only way to be sure.

[Parrot of Doom]

Don't forget though, CO is heavier than air so the detector has to be at ground level

You can buy stick-on patches, I'd just stick one in the cupboard where your appliance is, underneath it if necessary.

[Snoremeister]

Sign up for the British Gas Service. They will check your boiler over once a year and you are covered for all problems with your heating. Can be extended to cover your plumbing and drains as well.

It does cost, but with older systems it works out less than having to find your own repairman.

[falcemob]

Parrot of Doom said:

Don't forget though, CO is heavier than air so the detector has to be at ground level You can buy stick-on patches, I'd just stick one in the cupboard where your appliance is, underneath it if necessary.

Unless you are going to crawl around on hands and knees it won't affect you then. The instructions on the one I got recommends fitting at about four to five feet off the ground.

[ferg]

Snoremeister said:

Sign up for the British Gas Service.

Other service contracts are, of course, available.

[tvrbob]

Be careful. Boiler service is like a car service. There's no guarantee the car / boiler won't fail between services. If you're worried about CO then test for CO.

[chrisgr31]

Snoremeister said:

Sign up for the British Gas Service. They will check your boiler over once a year and you are covered for all problems with your heating. Can be extended to cover your plumbing and drains as well. It does cost, but with older systems it works out less than having to find your own repairman.

Had them out on countless times over the last 18 months. Must nearly have had a complete new boiler by now!

Got the drains cover with the water company, and waiting for the drain man to arrive tomorrow morning. One very blocked sewer!