Why is my boiler making a noise?
Common causes & fixes
Boilers are essential for keeping your home cosy and functional, providing both central heating and hot water. While they don't need to be completely silent, they also shouldn't be so noisy that they become a nuisance.
If you're hearing clanks, bangs, or whistles from your boiler, you've come to the right place. Stick with us as we dive into common causes of boiler noises, share troubleshooting tips, and help you determine when it's time to call in the experts.
A noisy boiler can be a sign of various issues, and understanding the type of noise can help diagnose the problem. Here are some common reasons why your boiler might be making noise:
1. Kettling
- Noise: A loud banging or rumbling noise.
- Cause: sludge build-up on the heat exchanger and pipework, causing water to overheat and turn into steam. Could also be blocked condensate overflow.
- Solution: Power flush or chemical treatment to remove debris.
2. Air in the System
- Noise: Banging, gurgling, or whistling.
- Cause: Air trapped in the boiler or central heating system.
- Solution: Bleed the radiators to release trapped air.
3. Water Pressure Issues
- Noise: Whistling or banging.
- Cause: Water pressure that is too high or too low.
- Solution: Check and adjust the water pressure to the recommended levels (typically 1-1.5 bar for most systems).
4. Pump Problems
- Noise: Humming or grinding.
- Cause: Worn or malfunctioning pump.
- Solution: Inspect the pump for wear and replace if necessary.
5. Loose or Worn Parts
- Noise: Banging or clanking.
- Cause: Loose or worn-out parts within the boiler.
- Solution: Inspect and tighten or replace any loose parts
6. Expansion and Contraction
- Noise: Clicking or tapping.
- Cause: Normal expansion and contraction of the metal parts as they heat up and cool down.
- Solution: Ensure that the boiler and pipework are securely fixed to minimise movement.
7. Blocked or Partially Closed Valves
- Noise: Whistling or hissing.
- Cause: Blocked or partially closed valves restricting water flow.
- Solution: Check and fully open all valves, or replace if blocked.
8. Sludge in the System
- Noise: Gurgling or bubbling.
- Cause: Build-up of sludge in the boiler or radiators.
- Solution: Power flush the system to remove sludge.
9. Low Water Flow Rate
- Noise: Whistling or hissing.
- Cause: Low water flow rate due to a faulty pump or blocked pipes.
- Solution: Inspect and replace the pump if needed, and check for any blockages in the pipes.
Fix your boiler issues with Jones Heating
At Jones Heating, we have the expertise, experience, and tools to diagnose all kinds of boiler problems, from minor issues to serious malfunctions. We specialise in boiler repairs, servicing, and new installations for homeowners in Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and the surrounding areas. Our prompt and reliable service means you no longer have to wonder, "Why is my boiler making a noise?"
Feeling the chill? Contact Jones Heating today, and we'll start troubleshooting right away. Our team of skilled plumbing and heating engineers is on standby, ready to diagnose the problem and get your boiler back on track in no time. Remember, a cosy home starts with a reliable boiler – and Jones Heating is here to ensure yours stays that way.
Learn more about why your boiler could be making a noise with a guide from Ideal Boilers here<<
Boiler Repair FAQs
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all cost for boiler repairs. It can be anything upwards of £70 depending on the complexity of the job and any parts required. Our team always aims to minimise costs by repairing your boiler without the need for replacement parts. We’ll also reduce the cost in the long run by making repairs that stand the test of time.
If your boiler keeps breaking down, there might an underlying problem that’s causing it. In some cases, it may even need replacing. Jones Heating's boiler repair experts will work to identify and fix the root cause of breakdowns to give your boiler a new lease of life. If that’s not possible, we’ll advise you on the best course of action so you can make an informed decision.
We always aim to fix boilers on our first visit – within the day – without the need to replace parts. If replacement parts are needed, it can understandably take a little longer. Whatever the case, you’ll be kept informed every step of the way, so you know when your boiler will be back up and running.
Boiler repair step 1 – Fault diagnosis
When a boiler breaks down we need to attend the job to diagnose the fault, even if the boiler gives us a fault code which directs us to the possible fault.
Fault codes give us a very good idea of what could be at fault, but sometimes there are underlying issues which the fault code doesn’t give away.
Most of the time, a fault diagnosis is a simple process and we know what’s going on within 20 minutes or so.
Of course, some faults can be a bit more tricky and can take up to an hour or more.
Boiler repair step 2 – The repair / part installation
If we find that we can complete the boiler repair without the need for any parts then we will get on with the job in hand and charge you based on total time taken.
If a part or parts are required then we will call our suppliers to see if the part is still available, in stock and how much it costs.
Once we have this information we will give you a price to return to complete the boiler repair.
If you wish to shop around then we’re absolutely fine with that. We will charge you for the time taken to complete the diagnosis and give you a report to tell you exactly what you need to complete the boiler repair.
If you wish to proceed then we will collect the part for you and get the part installed as quickly as possible.
In some cases we’re able to do this straight away but in some cases we might need to rebook the appointment for another time/date.
Deciding whether you should have your boiler repaired or have it replaced can be a difficult decision.
Boiler breakdowns are always unexpected so having the budget available to replace your boiler isn’t always possible.
If you do have the budget available though, it can make perfect sense to ditch that old boiler and get a new one installed. New boilers come with big warranties giving you long term peace of mind.
I know it’s easy for us to say ‘replace your boiler’ but there’s nothing we hate to see more than someone investing into an old boiler only for it to break down again months later.
We have customers who have invested nearly £1000 into their old boiler over the space of 2 years and that causes us a lot of pain to see happen.
How to work out if your boiler is ‘Beyond Economical Repair’
Boilers are a bit like cars. They Depreciate in value over time.
So let’s say you have a boiler that’s 9 years old (for example) and let’s say that a boiler has a life expectancy of 10 years and let’s say that when you purchased the boiler it cost you £1000.
Well, today, this boiler is worth £100. Meaning that if a repair is more than £100 then it would be classed as ‘beyond economical repair’, in which case it would make more sense to replace the boiler than to repair it.
We hope this helps you decide what’s best for you in the long term, but ultimately, we’re here to support you and help you, regardless of which route you choose to take.