Common Ideal Boiler Problems & Repair Advice
We trust boilers to sit on the wall and get on with their job of providing heating and hot water to our homes day in, day out. They may even go unnoticed until you get home on a cold winter evening, excited to get back to a nice warm home, only to find that the temperature seems to drop when you step in through the front door.
It would be easy to start cursing the boiler that’s been ever so faithful up until this point but there are some common boiler problems that can be resolved without the need for an engineer. If you’re in any doubt whatsoever though, get in touch with an engineer. With our service you can get a free boiler repair quote from engineers near you.
Which Boiler Issues Need an Engineer?
Should You Replace Your Ideal Boiler Instead?
Who Should You Choose to Replace an Ideal Boiler?
Who are Ideal?
Established over 100 years ago, Ideal have been delivering quality, innovation and value to their boilers ever since. Find out more about this manufacturer and their full range of boilers here.
Top 5 Ideal Boiler Problems
- Boiler failing to ignite
When you hear the boiler attempt to ignite 3 times it will then go into ‘boiler lockout’, which basically means that the boiler has shut down. If you’re unsure, an orange light will display on the boiler.
- Boiler display is blank
If nothing is appearing on the boiler display then that suggests there’s no power to the boiler. If there is, it’s then likely to mean that a component within the boiler may have failed, which an engineer will be needed for.
- Loud noise when igniting
You don’t expect your boiler to make a loud explosion and it can cause quite a scare, chances are that too much gas was in the chamber prior to ignition.
- Gurgling noises
If you’re hearing a gurgling sound then the likely cause are blocked waterways from the boiler to the condensate. The condensate trap will need to be removed so that the blockage can be cleared. This process is bound to cause some leakage, so it’s a good idea to have a bowl underneath the boiler.
- Not getting hot water
On Ideal combi boilers simply check that the hot water temperature is turned up on the front, then check that the isolation valve underneath the boiler on the cold mains pipe is vertical/open. If neither of these seem to be the cause of the issue then it’s likely to be a problem within the appliance, possibly a zone valve issue.
Which Boiler Issues Need an Engineer?
To help you understand some of the more common boiler problems, we’ve put together the list below which will also lets you know if you’ll need an engineer or not.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Do you need an engineer? |
|---|---|---|
| No heat or hot water | Can be caused by several things including broken diaphragms and airlocks, failure of motorised valves, issues with the thermostat or low water levels | Yes |
| Leaking and dripping | Most likely to be a broken internal component but it will depend where the water is leaking from | Yes |
| Banging, whistling or gurgling noises | Air in the system could be causing this, otherwise it could be that the water pressure is too low | Yes |
| Pilot light goes out | The thermocouple could be broken which is in turn stopping the gas supply | Yes |
| Losing pressure | Could be a water leak in the system, the pressure relief valve needs replacing or due to recently bleeding radiators | Only if there’s a leak |
| Frozen condensate pipe | This fault should be displayed on your boiler as an error code or warning notification | Yes |
| Thermostat issues | Thermostat could be turned off or not set to the correct settings (time etc.) | Consider replacing |
| Kettling | Limescale or sludge building up on the heat exchanger | Yes |
| Radiators not getting hot | Sludge or air building up in the system or an unequal distribution of heat | Your radiators will need to be bled which doesn’t require an engineer but if you don’t feel like carrying out the task yourself |
| Boiler keeps switching itself off | Could be low water pressure, a problem with the thermostat or a lack of water flow due to a closed valve, air or the pump not circulating the water in the system properly | Yes |
Error Codes
When your Ideal boiler displays an error code, you’ll see an error symbol appear on the screen accompanied by a code, which will be a letter followed by a number. If you’re seeing an error code on your boiler check our handy list of Ideal error codes to find out what it means.
Should You Replace Your Ideal Boiler Instead?
If you’ve had your Ideal boiler for some period of time then it’s worth considering a new one as you could be saving up to £305* a year in a detached home. Take a look at the table below to see how much you could be saving depending on your current boiler rating and property.
| House Type | G (<70%) | F (70-74%) | E (74-78%) | D (78-82%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Detached | £200 | £140 | £120 | £120 |
| Detached | £305 | £210 | £180 | £180 |
| Detached Bungalow | £155 | £105 | £90 | £90 |
| Mid terrace house | £175 | £120 | £105 | £105 |
| Mid terrace house | £95 | £65 | £55 | £55 |
Who Should I Choose to Replace My Ideal Boiler?
If you’ve come to the decision that you want to invest in a new boiler, now you need to think about who will be replacing the old one.
Whoever you get to replace a boiler they must be Gas Safe registered, that’s the easy part. The work is going to be carried out by either a national company or local engineer but which is right for you?
As well as replacing your boiler, national companies will be able to offer extra services like ongoing boiler cover and big brand protection is always a bonus.
Meanwhile, local engineers can offer extremely competitive rates with a very personal service so you can talk with the same person from start to finish.
We don’t recommend going with the first engineer you talk to so it’s a good idea to get a quote from up to 3 engineers to give you the best chance of getting the perfect deal for you.
Boiler Insurance and Ongoing Cover
If your boiler warranty has expired, then boiler insurance is a possible option. You can take out insurance with your energy supplier but you’re absolutely no obligation to do so. When comparing insurance, the best ones will include an annual service and safety inspection, so keep an eye out for them.
Ideal Boiler Warranty
Depending on the boiler you get through Ideal, you can get a longer warranty ranging from 2-7 years. We’ve put together a complete guide to Ideal warranties so that you know exactly what to expect.
Send us an enquiry today to receive free quotes for a new boiler and find trusted engineers near you with our free service.
*According to the latest figures from the Energy Saving Trust
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