If you've noticed a "bubbling" like sound come from your boiler, ignoring it could cost you up to £300 and and result in a cold house.
Specialists at tool supplier Toolstation have revealed the subtle audio hints that could indicate a dodgy heating system as well as other home issues. According to the retailer, one sound from the boiler that could indicate a leak or overheating.
The recent cold snap has shown how important boilers are, despite rising energy costs. and when boilers break, it can leave households shivering in their home. If you hear any odd sounds, it is recommended to contact an expert.
Toolstation said: "If you do hear a peculiar sound coming from your boiler, it's always good to call a professional either way just to double-check. Low pressure in your boiler usually just requires topping up."
A popping, gurgling sound from the boiler may indicate several problems, from low pressure and kettling - when the system becomes so hot it boils like the appliance. Costs to fix the problem range between £75 and £300.
As reported by Wales Online, Toolstation also gathered clips of other sounds that could indicate problems in the home, including whispering walls, hissing radiators, and a leaking gutter.
Scratching in walls
The sound of scratching in the walls "most likely means there is a pest problem", Toolstation warned. Rats or mice could have made their way in through a hole in the foundations, and could leave droppings, teeth marks or pungent smells around the home.
Pest control will assess the problem and help fix it for an estimated £90 to £240. Toolstation said: "If this is ignored, the pests could create a nest within your walls and start chewing through important wires. This could cause more serious problems and raise the cost to fix as you’d have to call out an electrician."
Hissing from the radiator
Water or air moving through the heating system makes a hissing noise. Too much air getting trapped in the radiator can stop it from heating, in part or in whole. The best way to fix it is by bleeding the radiator with a radiator key, which should cost between £1 and £13.
If the hissing is accompanied by banging, thumping or other louder noises, you might need a heating engineer to investigate further. Toolstation said: "Leaving your radiator to hiss and not bleeding it can lead to other problems that are worse than your original one.
"Firstly, trapped air means your heating will reduce despite you having it on, wasting your money. Leaving it for long enough will cause knock-on problems to the whole of your system and you'll eventually have to call in a plumber."
Rustling in the guttering
Perhaps it's a bird, but it's more likely to be a gutter leaking water through holes in pipes, a failed seal or broken brackets. You'll need a gutter servicing professional to have a look and fix the problem for between £120 and £180. Doing so quickly could save you money long-term.
Toolstation said: "Leaving the gutter to leak could mean causing further damage to the outside and the inside of your home. A continuous stream of water can cause damage to the external brickwork, and if left long enough, could eventually cause internal damp. This would cause damp patches, bubbling wallpaper and other water damage."
You can listen to these tell tale sounds along with the warning signs of other potential problems, like creaky floorboards, electrical buzzing, dripping taps and whistling windows, here.
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