Boiler breakdown check yourself first, then call
Boiler broken down or staying cold? Call 070 783 0224 or send a photo of the display.
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A central heating boiler showing a fault usually has a clear reason: too little pressure, air in the system, a thermostat that isn't communicating or a component that's failed. You can fix some of these yourself in a few minutes. This page explains what you can safely do yourself, what you're better off leaving alone and what it costs if our boiler technician comes out.
Short answer
When you have a boiler breakdown, first check three things: the water pressure on the gauge, the fault code on the display and whether the thermostat is controlling the boiler. If the pressure is too low, top up to the value in the manual and press reset once. If the fault returns, you smell gas or hear banging or whistling? Stop and call a boiler technician.
- Note down the code and take a photo of the display.
- Resetting once is fine; resetting over and over is not.
- A heating technician starts with us at the call-out rate of € 100 – € 165 excl. VAT (€ 121 – € 199.65 incl.).
Call me back
Leave your name and number and we'll call you. Prefer immediate contact? Call 070 783 0224 or message us.
What you check yourself first
These steps are safe for everyone. Do them in this order; often you'll be done after step 2.
- Read the display. Almost every modern boiler shows a letter or number code when it goes into fault. Write it down or take a photo. That code tells our technician more than a long description.
- Check the water pressure. On or below the boiler there is a pressure gauge. The correct value is in the manual; for most homes it should be somewhere between 1 and 2 bar when cold. If the needle is much lower, the boiler will shut itself down to prevent damage. How to top up and what it means if the pressure keeps dropping can be found at central heating boiler losing pressure.
- Check the thermostat. Flat batteries, a thermostat set to a programme or a broken wireless connection: then the boiler simply receives no demand for heat. Set the thermostat a few degrees higher than room temperature and listen for the boiler firing up.
- Reset once. Press the reset button as indicated in the manual. Start the boiler and if it keeps running, it was a temporary fault. If it shuts down again shortly after, do not keep resetting: that will not fix the cause.
- Check whether electricity and gas are present. Is the plug in the socket and is the display lit? Does the cooker still work (if you cook on gas)? If not, the cause often does not lie with the boiler itself.
You're better off avoiding this
A central heating boiler is a gas appliance. Everything behind the casing is a job for a qualified tradesman. So do not remove the cover and do not work on the gas line or flue yourself. Work on gas combustion installations, such as installing, maintaining, repairing and commissioning, may according to the government only be carried out by a company with a CO certificate. The client who engages someone without that certificate is also liable to prosecution according to the government.
Source: ondernemersplein.overheid.nl: CO-certificaat voor cv-monteur (accessed October 2026). Rules may change; check the official source if in doubt.
- Smell gas? Do not touch the boiler, do not operate any switches, open windows and follow the steps at gas smell in the house.
- Is the carbon monoxide alarm going off? Go outside and follow the alarm's instructions. The government advises a CO alarm in the home and having the system checked at least once every two years.
- Water under the boiler? Switch the boiler off and catch the water. See central heating boiler or radiator leaking for what you can do immediately.
Source: rijksoverheid.nl: how do I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning? (accessed October 2026). Rules may change; if in doubt, check the official source.
The breakdowns we encounter most often
- Pressure too low. The most common reason a boiler stops. If the pressure keeps dropping, there's a leak somewhere or the expansion vessel is empty. We fix the latter with a new vessel (see the price below).
- Air in the system. After topping up or after work on the pipes. The pump ticks or gurgles and radiators only get half warm. Bleeding usually helps; see bleeding a radiator.
- Ignition or flame supervision. The boiler tries to start but the flame does not ignite or goes out immediately. That requires measurements on the boiler and therefore a technician.
- Pump or diverter valve. Hot water but no heating, or vice versa. Read more under no heating and no hot water.
- Blocked condensate drain. With condensing boilers, condensate water runs via a trap to the sewer. If it's blocked or frozen, the boiler stops. We see this especially after a cold night when the drain runs outside.
- Age. A boiler that breaks down more often raises the question whether repair is still worthwhile. More on this at replace or repair.
How a breakdown call-out works at PandFix
- You send a message or call. Send a photo of the display, the pressure gauge and the data plate. Sometimes we can already tell that topping up or a reset is enough, and no one needs to come out.
- Technician on site. Our heating technician reads out the boiler, checks pressure, pump, ignition and flue, and finds the cause.
- Price for the repair. If a part is needed, you'll hear what it costs first. We only proceed after your approval.
- Check afterwards. We put the boiler back into operation and check together that heating and hot water are working.
What does a boiler technician cost for a breakdown?
We work with a fixed price list. Parts depend on make and model; you'll hear that price in advance.
| Item | Excl. VAT | Incl. 21% VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Call-out charge: first 30 minutes including diagnosis | € 100 – € 165 | € 121 – € 199,65 |
| Central heating boiler check-up | € 165,29 | € 200 |
| Adjust and commission central heating boiler | € 52,89 | € 64 |
| Expansion vessel 80 litres | € 110,74 | € 134 |
| Component (pump, sensor, ignition, diverter valve) | after diagnosis | you hear the price upfront |
Guide prices from the PandFix price list (October 2026). Call-out charge is additional: €35 excl. VAT (€42.35 incl.), emergency €65 excl. VAT (€78.65 incl.). Evening or weekend: surcharge €80 excl. VAT (€96.80 incl.). Materials and extra hours only by agreement. You will always hear the price before we start.
Often it stays at the call-out charge and travel costs, for example if it concerns pressure, air or a thermostat. If you would like the boiler checked immediately, that is possible with a service.
Questions about a boiler breakdown
Am I allowed to reset my central heating boiler myself?
Yes, resetting once according to the manual is safe. If the boiler goes into fault mode again quickly, do not keep resetting: the cause is still there and you may make the problem worse.
My boiler is showing a fault but I do have hot water. How is that possible?
Then the boiler works, but the heat isn't reaching the radiators. Think thermostat, pump or diverter valve. See no heating for what you can check first.
What does a heating technician cost for a breakdown?
With us, a breakdown call-out starts with a call-out charge of € 100 – € 165 excl. VAT (€ 121 – € 199.65 incl.) for the first half hour including diagnosis, plus travel costs. Parts and extra time only after consultation.
Do you repair all brands?
We work on common central heating boiler brands. Send a photo of the type plate with your request, so we know in advance which part we may need to bring.
I rent my home. Who calls the technician?
In a rented property you usually report a breakdown to the landlord or housing association. They arrange the technician. If the boiler is your own, or you agree this with the landlord, you can contact us directly.
When is a breakdown an emergency?
If you smell gas, a carbon monoxide detector goes off or water is spraying from the boiler. In those cases, first follow the safety steps on this page. A cold house in winter is unpleasant, but usually not dangerous.
