With the weather having turned cooler over the last few weeks, most people are starting to ‘fire up’ their boilers to take the chill off in the evenings.  As a result, I’m getting calls from customers booking in for their annual service and boiler check to help make sure their gas appliances remain safe and in working order ahead of the cold winter months.

So if you’re wondering what a gas boiler service involves and why it’s important, here’s a bit of information for you.

Gas servicing – what’s involved

A gas service is not something that takes just ten minutes – it is a comprehensive check that is performed by a qualified gas engineer who assesses the basic safety of the gas appliance.  This means they will generally need to take the appliance apart in order to clean and inspect it thoroughly, and as part of this they will assess:

• the overall physical condition of the appliance
• the installation and pipework to ensure it meets safety and industry standards
• any vents and flues, looking for any deterioration or obstructions.

In addition to a visual inspection, your gas engineer should carry out performance tests using a gas analyser ensuring that any remedial action is taken if necessary, plus check the instructions for any additional guidelines set out by the manufacturer.

Why gas servicing is important
Ensuring that your gas appliances are serviced regularly is an issue of safety.  Without regular checks and maintenance, they could become in danger of leaking carbon monoxide poison – a deadly gas that you cannot see, taste or smell.

Is a gas servicing expensive?

Gas servicing is not expensive, typically we charge £70.00+VAT for a gas boiler or appliance service, and although we may not be the cheapest, we do pride ourselves in being the most comprehensive.

As mentioned, gas servicing is not a ten minute job so make sure you’re getting the level of skill and time spent to ensure it’s done right – it could save your life.

You can read more information on why gas servicing should be carried out annually on the Gas Safe Register website.