5 Common Gas and Heating Engineer Problems and When to Call a Professional

The problems that come up most

These are the jobs gas and heating engineers are most commonly booked for. Catching them early almost always costs less:

• a boiler losing pressure or locking out
• no hot water but heating works
• radiators heating unevenly
• a pilot light that keeps going out
• strange noises from the boiler or pump

What you can safely check yourself

Before calling anyone, gather information: when the problem started, whether it's getting worse, and clear photos. This helps a professional give you a realistic first assessment and helps you describe the job accurately when collecting quotes.

Basic observation is always safe; DIY repair is not always. If the problem involves gas, electrics, working at height or the structure of your home, stop at observation and call a professional.

Signs it's time to book someone

Book a professional when the problem is getting worse, when it involves safety, when your own attempts haven't held, or when you simply don't know the cause. A correct diagnosis is usually cheaper than a wrong repair.

For context on cost: Heating engineers typically charge £50–£90 per hour. An annual boiler service costs £80–£120; a straight combi boiler swap runs £1,800–£3,000 including the boiler.

Choosing who to call

By law, anyone working on gas appliances or pipework must be Gas Safe registered. Ask for the engineer's licence number and check it on the Gas Safe Register website before any work starts — it takes two minutes.

Check recent reviews before booking — Hammerscore company pages for gas and heating engineers combine ratings from several platforms, and the low-star reviews tell you most about how problems were handled.