How to Repressurise a Boiler

Has your boiler stopped working and causing you no ends of trouble? It’s possible that it may be running on low pressure which is causing issues in your home and wasting energy.

Just like any other appliance in the house, your boiler needs to be maintained properly to make sure that it is running smoothly. Failing to look after your boiler could lead to complications along the line and take extra money out of your pocket at the end of each month.

We run through what a low-pressure boiler could mean for your household and ways that you can repressurise your boiler to get it up and running again in no time. See our step by step guide to find out how to repressurise a boiler here.

What is low boiler pressure?

Boiler pressure refers to the pressure of water that is in your boiler, which helps it flow and circulate around the pipework and radiators in your home.

Low water pressure in your boiler means that your boiler isn’t supplying hot water to your applicances efficiently, which can cause issues and cost you extra money when it comes to paying your energy bills.

If your boiler has a low pressure then it is usually recommended to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Key signs that your boiler pressure is low

If your boiler is running low on water pressure, there are usually key signs that you should look out for.

If your boiler is acting unusually, signs that your boiler pressure may be lower than expected include:

Lack of hot water from taps
Low heat omissions from radiators
Leaking from boiler system
Leaking from radiators

Is low pressure boiler dangerous?

Low boiler pressure isn’t dangerous, and not something that can cause physical threat to you or your family. However, it can be dangerous for your household energy bills as it more than often leads to large scale energy wastage.

Leaving your boiler with low water pressure means that every time your heating or hot water tap is turned on, your boiler won’t be able to meet your demands. This not only means you won’t get hot water, but you will be paying for it.

How can I check if my boiler has low water pressure?

If you have a combi boiler then the gauge is usually found on the front of the boiler, whereas more traditional boiler systems have a gauge near the hot water cylinder. It’s here when you can check the water pressure in your boiler to check if your boiler is running as it should.

The gauge has a metre with number between 1 and 4 which indicates how much water pressure is in your boiler. If the reading on your boiler gauge is below 1 then it means that your boiler pressure is too low and isn’t functioning properly.

To get your boiler back and running properly, you will need to add pressure to the system and get hot water back running through your home. Find out how to repressurise a boiler with our step by step guide below.

Step by step: how to repressurise your boiler

Do not fear! If your boiler has low pressure, then it’s not the end of the world and can be easily fixed.

Increasing your boiler pressure does not likely require assistance from a professional and there are ways that you can get your boiler running without spending a penny.

If you have a combi boiler in your home, then you should follow these steps:

Switch off your boiler to cool it down
Connect the filing loop to the boiler’s pipes (double checking that it is securely attached!)
Open up and each of the valves so that they’re in line with the pipe so cold mains water can enter the system
Wait until the water pressure gauge reaches between 1 and 2
Once it has reached between 1 and 2, shut off the valves
Switch on your boiler and press reset button
Undo both ends of the filing loop (and watch for spillage!)