Author: Steven Reid

I am a full-time plumber and Gas Safe registered engineer.

I incorporated HouseWarm Ltd. in 2011 to provide heating and plumbing services to homes in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

I now blog about what I've learned over the years to help DIYers and plumbers.

Dirty Ideal boiler condensate trap blocked

How to Clean an Ideal Boiler Condensate Trap

Ideal boiler condensate traps can get very dirty and eventually blocked if they are not cleaned out. They get full of all sorts of weird gunk and sometimes bees and other insects that get in through the flue terminal from outside. I have been servicing boilers for over a decade and I have cleaned my […]

Blocked condensate pipe on Worcester boiler

Boiler Condensate Pipe Blocked? How to Find and Fix

Condensing boilers produce wastewater (from the flue gases) that needs to run freely down through the boiler, into a trap, then down a plastic pipe and into a drain. Having a blocked condensate pipe means your boiler will not work. I have been repairing boilers for over a decade and fixed many condensate pipe problems.

Replacing a central heating pump

Replacing a Central Heating Pump: Step-by-Step Guide

A central heating pump is the beating heart of a central heating system which pumps the heated water around all the radiators and the hot water cylinder from the boiler. If your pump stops working, your boiler and central heating system will stop. I have been fitting and fixing central heating systems for over a

Magnetic filter being cleaned before and after

Central Heating Magnetic Filter Cleaning and Leak Fixing

A magnetic filter is fitted to a central heating system to collect iron oxide and sludge using a powerful magnet. Sludge build-up inside parts on a boiler is the number one cause of a boiler breaking down. Central heating magnetic filter cleaning is a great way to make your boiler last longer, help stop your

Recharging expansion vessel on combi boiler

Recharging Expansion Vessel on a Combi Boiler Help Guide

Are you sick of your boiler losing pressure and having to keep repressurising it? Recharging the expansion vessel might be the solution you need to get it fixed properly. I have been repairing and servicing boilers for over a decade and recharging the expansion vessel is a common job. Recharging expansion vessel To recharge an expansion

Boiler pressure too high on 3 bar

Boiler Pressure Too High? How to Reduce it the Right Way

Having high boiler pressure is a problem. There are a few different causes and a few different fixes. When the pressure keeps rising too high it is usually followed by it dropping too low after the pressure relief valve lets the water out of the heating system. I have been repairing boilers and heating systems

Cleaning a dirty Magnaclean filter

How to Clean a Magnaclean Filter: The Complete Guide

A Magnaclean is a central heating magnetic filter, made by Adey, that collects iron oxide and sludge that builds up in central heating systems. This stops the sludge from collecting in parts in your boiler which causes boilers to break down. I have been a full-time heating engineer and cleaning magnetic filters for over a

smell of gas from boiler

Why is There a Smell of Gas From Boiler? Leak Safety Advice!

The smell of gas from a boiler is definitely not normal, and you should be acting on it instantly. You must turn the boiler off and turn the gas off at the gas meter emergency control valve (ECV) and ventilate the room as much as possible. Do not use any naked flames and call the

Lockshield radiator valve

Radiator Valves Explained: How They Actually Work

Radiator valves let you control the heating by turning off radiators, adjusting room temperatures, and balancing the system. If you’re not using a radiator or need to remove one for decorating, simply close the valves to isolate it from the central heating system. With over a decade of experience fitting and repairing radiator valves, I

Bleed valve removed from radiator

How to Replace a Radiator Bleed Valve: Complete Guide

A radiator bleed valve is a screw on a radiator for bleeding the air out and for venting radiators when draining the central heating system. A radiator leaking water from the bleed valve might need to be replaced. Bleed screws can snap and wear down over time. I have been fitting and replacing radiators full-time

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