Boiler repair in Selly Oak, B29
Selly Oak, close to the University of Birmingham and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has a large number of Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, many of them shared student houses and rented homes, alongside owner-occupied houses and newer flats. Boilers in shared houses work hard, and when one fails it affects everybody. Send an enquiry with the B29 postcode and the fault, and we arrange one of our local Gas Safe registered engineers.
What boiler problems are common in Selly Oak homes?
Hot water demand in shared houses. Four or five people showering in the morning is a lot to ask of a combi that heats water as it flows. Running out, or water running cool when two outlets are open, can be a capacity limit. Losing hot water altogether is more likely a fault, such as a sticking diverter valve. See no hot water.
Freezes in empty houses. Student houses often sit empty over the Christmas break, sometimes with the heating turned right down or off. In a cold spell that is when condensate pipes and exposed pipework freeze. Leaving the heating on a low frost setting helps, and our frozen condensate pipe guide explains what to do if it happens.
Leaks between floors. A slow leak from a boiler in an upstairs room or a converted flat can show up as a stain on the ceiling below before anyone notices the boiler. Turn the boiler off and send an enquiry if you see one. See boiler leaking.
Ignition lockouts. Baxi and Potterton boilers are among the most common in UK homes. On many Baxi models E133 is the code for a failed ignition, often because of a prepayment meter running out or a frozen condensate pipe.
What does the enquiry process look like?
- Send an enquiry with the property postcode, boiler make, the fault and any code. Landlords and agents: include the best contact for access.
- We arrange a local engineer who covers B29, who gets in touch to book a visit.
- Diagnosis and a price before any work. The person responsible for the repair approves it first.
- Check the engineer’s ID. All gas work is carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers; verify the card on the Gas Safe Register.
Tenants: report the fault to your landlord or agent first, as boiler repairs are normally their responsibility.
Which nearby areas do we cover?
From Selly Oak we cover Bournville, Stirchley, Weoley Castle and Northfield, plus Harborne, Edgbaston and Kings Heath, and the rest of Birmingham.
For landlords
An annual boiler service reduces the chance of a mid-winter breakdown with tenants in residence. Remember that landlords also have a separate legal duty to arrange an annual gas safety check. Typical UK repair prices are in the cost guide.