Why should I have my boiler serviced each year?
Why would a person servicing or repairing my boiler need to be Gas Safe registered?
My boiler seems to be working perfectly fine, so why should I bother getting it serviced?
They put a smell in Gas so you’ll know if it leaks don’t they?
How can you tell if my boiler is working Safely and Economically after you have serviced it?
Does it make any mess in my house?
Smoke Alarms are available in case of Fire, is there a Device for Carbon Monoxide?
Can you remind me when the Servicing is due each year?
Do you offer a supply and fit or fit only service?
How long between accepting a quotation and the job starting?
Do I need to take time off work while the work is being carried out?
Is a fixed price quotation cheaper than hourly rate?
Do I have a Low Pressure System?
What is a Unvented or Megaflo System?
Do I need a landlords gas safety certificate?
How do I find the water stopcock for my property?
Q Why should I have my boiler serviced each year?
For your boiler to work Safely & Economically, all boiler manufacturers recommend that the Appliance is Serviced each year by a competent person (Gas Safe registered). (top of page)
Q Why would a person servicing or repairing my boiler need to be Gas Safe registered?
Gas Safe check the competency of Gas Service Engineers by making sure they have passed both practical and theory exams relating to the Installation and Maintenance of Gas appliances. By Law any person working on Gas appliances and Pipework must be
Gas Safe registered. (top of page)
Q My boiler seems to be working perfectly fine, so why should I bother getting it serviced?
When your boiler is working to provide you with Heat & Hot Water, it is Burning Gas inside a precision made device which is dependent on- All the Flue seals being sound, the Air supply & Ventilation being adequate, all the boiler safety devices functioning correctly, the correct Gas pressure being present, the boiler being Clean and all the components being intact. So although your boiler may seem to be working Fine-it may in fact not be working in a Safe condition! (top of page)
Q They put a smell in Gas so you’ll know if it leaks don’t they?
That is True. But the problem with a Gas Boiler leaking Carbon Monoxide is that there is NO smell. (top of page)
Q How can you tell if my boiler is working Safely and Economically after you have serviced it?
After some preliminary tests, I will strip your boiler down, clean out any dust build-up Check the operation of all the Safety devices on the boiler, check and if necessary adjust the Gas pressure-the Final check is carried out using an Electronic Device called a Combustion Performance tester. Once I have completed the service on your boiler I will then check and test your whole Central Heating System, Radiators & Tanks even the ones in your loft! (Some heating systems don’t have tanks!). (top of page)
Q How long does a service take?
From start to finish it takes approx. 1 hour-it depends on what model of boiler you have got. The cost is standard though. (top of page)
Q Does it make any mess in my house?
It will not make any mess in your house as dustsheets will be used and I have a vacuum cleaner. (top of page)
Q Smoke Alarms are available in case of Fire, is there a Device for Carbon Monoxide?
Yes, there is technology available for your total peace of mind and Safety. Carbon Monoxide Alarms to BS 7860 cost just £30 including fitting they take approx 15 minutes to install and carry 5year guarantee. I can install one of these at the time of your service if you wish for discounted cost to you of £20. (top of page)
When you call me, I will be pleased to arrange a timed or Saturday morning appointment if you prefer. (top of page)
Q Can you remind me when the Servicing is due each year?
People do tend to forget when they last had their boiler serviced, so I will write or phone to remind you. (top of page)
The high efficiency condensing combi or combination boiler combines both a conventional boiler for radiators and an independent water heater in one compact unit, eliminating the need for a hot water cylinder and cold water storage cistern. With a combi boiler hot water is always available instantly and for as long as you need it. Additional benefits of having a combi boiler include significant saving on your gas bills and the fact that your hot water comes from the mains pressure so you can enjoy showering without needing a noisy pump. (top of page)
A system boiler works on the principle of stored hot water. It provides heat for your heating system while being able to heat a hot water cylinder (like a Megaflo). This guarantees simultaneous supply of hot water to all outlets. These type of boilers work with both vented and unvented how water cylinders. System boilers operate on a sealed system like the combination boiler. As the system is not affected by mains water pressure, they can operate in areas where combi boilers cannot (like lofts). System boilers are usually compact as all the major components like the pump and the diverter valve are built into the boiler. A system boiler is a great choice for a larger home or family with hot water needs that can't be met by a combi boiler. You will need a tank in the airing cupboard, though. (top of page)
Q What is Gas Safe Register?
Gas Safe Register™ is the official Great Britain and Isle of Man registration scheme for installers and maintenance engineers dealing with natural gas appliances, which replaces the previous system run by CORGI until 1st April 2009. By law, anyone carrying out work on gas installations and appliances in your home must be on the Gas Safe Register™. RCB Plumbing is a registered Gas Safe Register™ installer. (top of page)
Q Do you charge for estimates?
No. All estimates are FREE of charge and are valid for 30 days. (top of page)
Q Do you offer a supply and fit or fit only service?
Either! It's entirely up to the customer.
With the vast range of products available on the high street and online, we appreciate that some customers prefer to source their own products. Others prefer us to supply and fit, which reduces the risk of incorrect or missing items, faulty components, etc. (top of page)
Q How long between accepting a quotation and the job starting?
This varies depending on our current bookings, the size of the job and whether we need to order any special items. We will always try and fit in with customer's requirements, although bookings are made on a first come first served basis. (top of page)
Q Do I need to take time off work while the work is being carried out?
No, all we need is access to your property and a contact number. (top of page)
Q Is a fixed price quotation cheaper than hourly rate?
With a fixed price quotation we often need to 'guess' and make allowances for any potential problems that may arise during the job. If we can see exactly how the job will be carried out, then the prices will work out pretty much the same. (top of page)
Q Do I have a Low Pressure System?
If you have a cold water storage cistern in the loft and a hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard, then you have a typical gravity fed system. Your water pressure is determined by the height of your cold water storage cistern in relation to the appliance outlet. For example, a weak shower could be due to low water pressure, but in an ideal world this could be solved by raising the height of the storage cistern. However, this isn't always possible and pumps can be used to boost the pressure. (top of page)
Q What is a Unvented or Megaflo System?
An Unvented System is where hot water is stored at mains pressure and therefore hot water flow rates are much better than traditional open vented systems. Megaflo is a market leading name for unvented cylinders. For more information see Unvented Hot Water Systems. (top of page)
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, poisonous gas that can be produced by faulty appliances or incorrect ventilation. Provided an appliance is correctly installed and adjusted and regularly serviced, the risk from CO is minimal.
However you should always ensure that adequate ventilation is maintained and be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning - headaches, nausea, dizziness and tiredness.
For added peace of mind you could consider a carbon monoxide detector. These are inexpensive and are available from DIY stores. If you have any doubts about the safety of a gas appliance - do not use it - call us or any Gas Safe registered engineer and have it checked. (top of page)
Q Do I need a landlords gas safety certificate?
If you rent out property as a landlord, then you are responsible for ensuring that all gas fittings and flues are maintained in good order, and that gas appliances and flues are checked for safety every 12 months. You must keep a record of all safety checks for at least two years and issue it to existing tenants and to any new tenants before they move in.
Tenants are responsible for the maintenance and safety of appliances they own. (top of page)
Q How do I find the water stopcock for my property?
It is usually found on an internal wall, often under the kitchen sink. However, some properties, typically conversions to multiple occupation, do not seem to have one!
If you cannot find an internal stopcock, an external stopcock can usually be found under a small square iron or plastic cover in the pavement outside your house. The external stopcock can be turned on or off with a special turnkey. (top of page)