How To Increase Your Boiler Pressure

26-05-2018

A loss of water pressure is a common reason your boiler might stop working.

Increasing the water pressure in your gas boiler is a task that can be completed without needing to call out a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. However, if you're unsure about anything, have questions or encounter any difficulties whilst increasing your boiler pressure, contact our friendly team on 01295 224844 today, or email hello@mnheating.co.uk and we'd be more than happy to assist you.

Before you attempt to increase the water pressure in your boiler, ensure your central heating system is cold, your boiler is switched off and hasn't been in operation for at least one hour.

To discover whether you have low water pressure, you need to check the pressure gauge that is often located on the front of your boiler. If the water pressure is below 1 bar when not in operation then your boiler will struggle to operate safely and efficiently. Your boiler requires a consistent water pressure between 1 and 2 bar.

To increase the water pressure in your boiler, you'll need to locate the filling loop often on the underside of most gas boilers. The filling loop should have two valves at either end with tap handles (or flat-head screws on older boilers). You need to open both the valves to allow cold water into your heating system, you should be able to hear this flow of water. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge and close the valves when the pressure reaches 1.5 bar. Once both valves are securely closed, switch your boiler back on and reset the fault code (if necessary).

Whilst increasing your boiler pressure doesn't require you to be Gas Safe registered, never attempt to fix your boiler yourself. It is illegal to work on gas appliances if you aren't Gas Safe registered.

If you're unsure about these instructions or think a low water pressure may not be the cause of your boiler not working, please don't hesitate to contact our friendly team today on 01295 224844.

Recap

1. Switch off your boiler and ensure your heating system is cold for at least one hour.
2. Check the pressure gauge, which is often found on the front of your boiler.
3. If below 1 bar, your boiler has a low water pressure and needs re-pressurising.
4. Locate the filling loop, often found on the underside of your boiler.
5. Open both valves to allow water into your heating system.
6. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge and close the valves when the pressure reaches 1.5 bar.
7. Switch on your boiler and reset the fault code (if necessary).