It can be frustrating when your boiler suddenly starts losing pressure. Boiler pressure is the balance of water and air within the sealed system. In order to operate correctly, your boiler needs the correct balance of water and air; this ensures there is adequate pressure in the system for when water is needed from the boiler - for example, when you turn your heating on or run your hot tap.
If you've noticed your house doesn't warm up enough when you turn the heating on or the water takes a very long time to get hot (if not at all), your boiler could be losing pressure.
Below, we take a look at why your boiler may be losing pressure and what you can do.
Inefficient radiators
Firstly, make sure there is nothing blocking your radiators. From heavy curtains to pieces of furniture, there are many things that can prevent radiator heat from circulating around the room. If nothing is blocking your radiators, you may be dealing with an inefficient radiator. Your radiator may need bleeding, which will release trapped air that may be stopping it from heating up as quickly as usual. If you've bled the radiator and it still feels cold in places, it's possible the entire system needs flushing.
Poor insulation
It's possible your home simply has poor insulation and it's nothing to do with your boiler at all. Heat can escape through the walls and roof of your home, making it difficult to heat up and letting cold air in. A poorly insulated home is much harder to heat and will make your heating system work overtime trying to reach a warm temperature.
Investing in sufficient insulation can drastically improve how warm your home is, helping to trap warm air in and keep rooms toasty.
Leak in the system
It’s also possible that there’s a leak somewhere within your heating system. In many cases, these leaks aren’t immediately visible and can occur anywhere along the pipework, including beneath floors or behind walls. While you can carry out basic checks on exposed pipes and radiators, hidden leaks often require specialist equipment to locate accurately.
If pressure loss continues and no obvious cause can be found, a professional heating leak investigation can help identify the source of the problem without unnecessary disruption. Accurate detection is key to resolving the issue properly and preventing further damage to your property.