Boiler Servicing in Medway, Kent
Your boiler works hard.
Book your annual boiler service: 01634 949254
How Much Does a Boiler Service Cost?
We believe in pricing transparency. Here are typical prices for the Medway area. We always provide a fixed-price quote after our free survey -- no ballpark estimates that change on the day.
Standard annual boiler service
£80 - £120
Boiler service + landlord gas safety certificate (CP12)
£100 - £150
Boiler service + system health check
£120 - £160
Prices include all parts, labour, and VAT where applicable. Your actual price depends on the specific requirements of your property.
What Happens During a Boiler Service
Visual Inspection
Check the boiler casing, seals, connections, flue terminal, condensate drain, and gas supply pipework for signs of wear, leaks, or corrosion.
Internal Inspection
Remove the casing and inspect the burner, heat exchanger, ignition system, seals, gaskets, fan, and expansion vessel pressure.
Operational Tests
Test gas pressure, carry out combustion analysis, check operating temperatures, test safety devices, and run a full heating and hot water cycle.
Controls Check
Verify thermostat, programmer, and external controls are functioning correctly. Adjust gas rate and settings if necessary.
Documentation
Record all readings on a service report, note recommendations, record in your boiler's benchmark/service log, and provide you with a copy.
Why Annual Boiler Servicing Matters
Skipping your boiler service might seem like an easy way to save £80-£120. In reality, it is one of the most expensive false economies a homeowner can make. Here is why:
Safety
Gas boilers produce carbon monoxide (CO) as a byproduct of combustion. In a properly functioning boiler, CO is safely vented through the flue to the outside. But if something is wrong -- a cracked heat exchanger, a blocked flue, poor combustion -- carbon monoxide can leak into your home. CO is odourless and invisible, and exposure can be fatal. An annual service includes specific checks designed to detect CO risks before they become dangerous.
Warranty Compliance
Check the terms of your boiler warranty. Almost every manufacturer -- Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Viessmann, Baxi, Ideal -- requires an annual service by a Gas Safe registered engineer to keep the warranty valid. Miss a service, and you could void your warranty entirely. If your boiler then develops a fault that would have been covered, you will be paying for the repair out of your own pocket.
Efficiency
A boiler that has not been serviced gradually loses efficiency. Carbon deposits build up on the burner. The heat exchanger collects scale. Seals dry out. The result is a boiler that burns more gas to produce the same amount of heat -- and higher energy bills for you. A service restores your boiler to optimal operating condition.
Preventing Breakdowns
Many boiler breakdowns are preventable. During a service, our engineers identify worn components, early signs of failure, and developing problems before they turn into emergency call-outs. A £15 seal replaced during a service is far better than a £200 repair on a Saturday in December when the same seal fails completely.
Extending Boiler Lifespan
A well-maintained boiler can last 15 years or more. A neglected boiler might struggle past 8-10 years. Annual servicing is the single most effective thing you can do to extend the life of your boiler and delay the significant cost of replacement.
What Is Included in a Boiler Service?
Our boiler service follows a comprehensive checklist that covers every critical component. Here is what we check, test, and inspect:
Visual Inspection
- Check the boiler casing, seals, and connections for signs of wear, leaks, or corrosion
- Inspect the flue terminal externally for obstructions, damage, or staining
- Check the condensate drain is clear and flowing freely
- Inspect the gas supply pipework for any visible issues
Internal Inspection
- Remove the boiler casing and inspect internal components
- Check the burner and heat exchanger for carbon deposits, cracks, or deterioration
- Inspect the ignition system (electrodes, leads, spark generator)
- Check all internal seals and gaskets
- Inspect the fan and flue way for blockages or damage
- Check the expansion vessel pressure (crucial for maintaining system pressure)
Operational Tests
- Test the gas pressure at the meter and at the boiler (both standing and working pressure)
- Carry out a combustion analysis using a flue gas analyser -- this measures CO and CO2 levels in the flue gases to confirm safe, efficient combustion
- Check the boiler's operating temperature and temperature differential
- Test the safety devices (overheat thermostat, pressure relief valve, flame supervision)
- Check the system pressure and the operation of the filling loop
- Run the boiler through a full heating and hot water cycle
Controls and Settings
- Check the thermostat, programmer, and any external controls are functioning correctly
- Verify the boiler is operating at the correct settings for your property
- Adjust gas rate and settings if necessary
Documentation
- Record all readings and findings on a service report
- Note any recommendations or future maintenance items
- Record the service in your boiler's benchmark/service log (important for warranty)
- Provide you with a copy of the service report
The whole process takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the boiler model and its condition.
When to Book Your Service
The Best Time of Year
The ideal time to service your boiler is during the summer months (June to September), before the heating season begins. There are two good reasons for this:
- Availability -- heating engineers are much busier from October onwards when boilers start breaking down. Book in summer and you will get a convenient appointment without waiting.
- Preparation -- if the service reveals a developing issue, there is time to fix it before you actually need your heating. Discovering a problem in September is manageable. Discovering it in January is an emergency.
That said, any time is better than no time. If it has been over 12 months since your last service, book one now regardless of the season.
How Often
Once a year, every year. This is the manufacturer's recommendation, the industry standard, and the requirement for keeping your warranty valid. Some landlords with rental properties may need more frequent checks depending on the number of gas appliances in the property.
What Happens If I Miss a Service?
Homeowners
There is no legal requirement for homeowners to have their boiler serviced annually. However, missing a service means:
- Your manufacturer warranty may be voided
- Your boiler may be operating unsafely without your knowledge
- Developing faults go undetected, increasing the risk of breakdown
- Your boiler's efficiency decreases, costing you more in gas bills
Landlords
If you are a landlord, you have a legal obligation to have all gas appliances (including boilers) checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and to hold a valid gas safety certificate (CP12). This is a separate requirement from a boiler service, but the two are often done at the same time. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £6,000 or criminal prosecution.
Servicing Different Boiler Brands
We service all major boiler brands. While the core checks are the same, each manufacturer has specific service requirements:
- Worcester Bosch -- we service the full Greenstar range and complete the Worcester Bosch service checklist, maintaining your Accredited Installer warranty
- Vaillant -- we service all ecoTEC models and record the service on the Vaillant warranty portal
- Viessmann -- full Vitodens range servicing with combustion analysis
- Baxi -- we service the entire Baxi range including older Duo-tec and Platinum models
- Ideal -- Logic, Vogue, and Independent range servicing
- Other brands -- we also service Potterton, Glow-worm, Alpha, Ferroli, and most other domestic gas boilers
Our Service Reminder
Life is busy, and it is easy to forget when your boiler service is due. That is why we offer a free service reminder. Once we have serviced your boiler, we note the date and contact you when the next service is due. No obligation, no hard sell -- just a helpful reminder so you never accidentally miss a service and void your warranty.
Brands We Service
We are accredited installers for all the major boiler manufacturers, which means we can offer extended warranties that unaccredited fitters cannot.
Full Greenstar range servicing with Accredited Installer warranty maintenance
All ecoTEC models with service recorded on the Vaillant warranty portal
Full Vitodens range servicing with combustion analysis
Entire Baxi range including older Duo-tec and Platinum models
Logic, Vogue, and Independent range servicing
We service all major domestic gas boiler brands. Each manufacturer has specific service requirements that our engineers are trained to follow.
Book Your Annual Boiler Service
Do not wait for your boiler to break down before giving it attention. Call Medway Boiler Installers on 01634 949254 or email info@gasboilersandheating.co.uk. Gas Safe registered. Thorough 45-60 minute service. From £80. Covering Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Strood, Rainham, and the wider Medway area.
More About Our Boiler Servicing Service
From October through to March, it runs for hours every day, heating your home and your water. An annual service is how you keep it running safely, efficiently, and reliably -- and it is also a condition of virtually every manufacturer warranty.
At Medway Boiler Installers, we take the time to deliver outstanding results. As independent, Gas Safe registered heating engineers with over 20+ years of experience serving Medway, Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Strood, Rainham, we work with all the leading manufacturers and can offer genuinely impartial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call Medway Boiler Installers Today
Gas Safe registered. 20+ years of experience. Up to 12-year warranties. Serving Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Strood, Rainham, and the wider Medway area.