Problems this covers
- A gas boiler that has not had its yearly check
- A home you have just bought, with no service record
- A landlord's yearly gas safety duty
- New noises or marks on or near the boiler
- Questions about the flue or a carbon monoxide alarm
Boiler Servicing in Plymouth: what to know
A boiler service is a check of how a gas boiler runs. The engineer looks over the boiler, its flue and its controls. The aim is to spot faults early, before the heating stops. This page covers gas boilers only, and it does not cover oil or LPG boilers.
Gas work in homes must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The Health and Safety Executive also advises a service at least once a year. Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card before work starts. The back of the card lists the gas work that engineer may do.
You can check an engineer on the Gas Safe Register website. Landlords have a legal duty to arrange a gas safety check each year. If you rent out the home, say so in your request. Ask the engineer what the visit covers, because that differs from one engineer to the next.
Questions to ask the engineer
- Are you Gas Safe registered, and can I see your ID card?
- What does the service cover, and what is left out?
- What is the total price, in writing?
- Will I get a written record of the visit?
- What cover does the work carry, and for how long?
How a typical job runs
- Send a request and say that you have a gas boiler
- Check the engineer's Gas Safe ID card when they arrive
- The engineer checks the boiler, the flue and the controls
- Ask what the check found and what it did not cover
- Keep the written record for next year
Boiler Servicing near you
Looking for local details? Try the pages for boiler servicing in Plymouth, boiler servicing in Tavistock or boiler servicing in Saltash, since each one covers its own town. These are the towns with their own page for this service.
You may also want to read about boiler repair or emergency plumber, since the jobs are linked.
A yearly service is strong advice for most homes, and landlords must have a gas safety check every year. This guide explains what HSE says and how to check an engineer. Read Do You Need an Annual Boiler Service? for background while you plan the job. It uses plain words.
Boiler Servicing: common questions
How often should a gas boiler be serviced?
The Health and Safety Executive strongly advises a service at least once a year. A Gas Safe registered engineer should do it. Ask what the visit covers, because that differs between engineers.
How do I check a gas engineer?
Ask to see the Gas Safe ID card. The back of the card lists the gas work the engineer may do. You can also check the engineer on the Gas Safe Register website.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Open doors and windows. Shut off the gas at the meter control valve if you know where it is. Then call the Gas Emergency freephone on 0800 111 999. Do this before you send a request.
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm?
The Health and Safety Executive recommends one as a precaution. The alarm should meet British Standard EN 50291. An alarm does not replace a regular service.