Oil line, filter and fire valve servicing
Most oil boiler breakdowns start outside the boiler. Water in the tank, a sludged filter bowl or a nozzle past its hours will stop a perfectly healthy burner, and all three are cheap to deal with on a planned visit.
What the fuel side needs annually
Condensation inside a part-full tank puts water into the bottom of the fuel, where it corrodes the line and freezes in winter. Filters trap it until they clog. A nozzle worn out of spec sprays a poor pattern, causing sooting and inefficient combustion that shows immediately on a flue gas analysis.
Included in an oil service
- Filter element renewed and bowl checked for water and sludge
- Nozzle replaced to manufacturer spec, not just cleaned
- Fire valve operation and sensing element verified
- Combustion analysis recorded with smoke number and efficiency
Frequently asked
- How often should oil boilers be serviced?
- Annually without exception. Oil combustion fouls faster than gas and warranty terms almost always require it.
- My tank has water in it — is that serious?
- Yes. It needs draining and the cause addressed, usually a failed cap seal or a vent letting in rain.
- Can you service Grant, Worcester and Firebird?
- Yes — those three plus Warmflow and Mistral cover most of what's fitted around here.
Book it before the season
September and October are the sensible months. Servicing before the first cold week means faults are found on a planned visit rather than during a freeze.
Related solutions
Core services
Where we cover
Further reading
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