Central heating system in the home: points of attention, risks and maintenance

An expansion vessel , also called a pressure vessel, absorbs the pressure differences that arise as water expands or contracts during heating or cooling of the pipes and radiators in a central heating system. Water in a central heating system expands by approximately 3% when heated. The central heating system is a closed system, and the metal pipes and radiators are not flexible (like a balloon) and cannot accommodate the water's expansion. This causes the pressure to rise, which is undesirable. The expansion vessel's purpose is to absorb these pressure differences . The lifespan of an expansion vessel is approximately seven years.

The expansion vessel's mounting is important and must be properly secured. If it's not mounted with a wall bracket, the mounting will be inadequate. We recommend securely mounting the expansion vessel to the wall using a wall bracket.

If there's a leak or break in the water drain (overflow or overflow) under the boiler, it may be repairable; keep in mind that part of this drain will need to be replaced. Leaks or other defects in drains can naturally cause problems or moisture problems elsewhere in the structure.

Leaks are frequently noticed in one or more couplings at the bottom of the boiler. These leaks, whether large or small, must be repaired. A first attempt at repair could be to tighten the couplings a little further. If that doesn't work, replacing the couplings where necessary can be considered.

• Leaks decrease as the pressure in the central heating system decreases. If the pressure in the central heating system drops, malfunctions can occur. In combination boilers , hot water production will also stop.

The boiler's mounting/bracketing must be secure, solid, and stable, with minimal or no movement. An improperly secured installation poses a risk of leaks in the supply and return pipes, gas lines, and water pipes.

Asbestos sheeting may be present at the roof penetration: if the risks and dangers of asbestos are clear, this sheet can be retained. This sheet can be removed at some point in the future when the central heating system is replaced. It is always better to remove asbestos. Because asbestos has been found here, we recommend an asbestos inventory for the entire house. This will give you a complete picture and certainty regarding the entire house (inside and out). Based on this asbestos inventory report, you can decide to remove the asbestos yourself or hire a remediation company to remove it. As a consumer, a certain number of square meters may be removed.

The home may still be equipped with a central heating system , which serves the same purpose as a central heating boiler: heating multiple rooms simultaneously. A gas fireplace or central heating system usually has an open combustion system. Open appliances are a relatively frequent cause of carbon monoxide incidents. This is because open appliances extract oxygen from the room in which they are located, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the living space directly.

• It is important that the fireplace receives annual maintenance.

• An annual maintenance service ensures that your fireplace remains safe and in good condition.