No Heating or Hot Water? Boiler Breakdown Repair | South West London
No Heating or Hot Water? Boiler Breakdown Repair
Boiler stopped working in Streatham or South West London? Our Gas Safe registered engineers diagnose and repair all major boiler brands — usually on the same visit — so you’re not left without heating or hot water any longer than necessary.
Can smell gas as well as having no heat? Leave the property and call 0800 111 999 first — then see our gas leak page.
What to Check Before You Call Us
A few quick checks sometimes solve the problem — or help us diagnose faster over the phone
Check the Pressure Gauge
Most boilers need 1–1.5 bar to run. If the needle is well below this, low pressure could be the cause — and is often simple to top up.
Check Thermostat & Timer
Confirm the room thermostat is set above the current room temperature and the programmer is set to “on” for the current time — an easy fix that’s often overlooked.
Look for a Frozen Condensate Pipe
In cold weather, the white plastic pipe running outside can freeze and lock the boiler out. If you can safely reach it, warming it gently (e.g. a warm — not boiling — water bottle) can sometimes fix this instantly.
Note the Error Code
Most modern boilers display a fault code on the screen. Write it down along with the boiler make and model — this often lets us diagnose the fault before we even arrive.
Try a Reset
Following your boiler’s manual, a single reset can sometimes clear a temporary lockout. Don’t repeatedly reset if the fault keeps recurring — call us instead.
Still No Joy? Call Us
Call 07900 247 384 with what you’ve found. We’ll talk you through anything else worth trying and get an engineer to you if needed.
Common Causes of Boiler Breakdown
Knowing the likely culprit helps us get you sorted faster
Low System Pressure
A slow drop in pressure over time, or a sudden loss from a leak, will stop most boilers firing
Frozen Condensate Pipe
The single most common cause of winter breakdowns — an external pipe freezes and locks the boiler out
Ignition Failure
Worn ignition electrodes or a faulty gas valve can stop the boiler lighting — common F1/F4/EA fault codes
Faulty PCB
The printed circuit board controls the whole boiler — a fault here can cause erratic or total failure
Diverter Valve Fault
Controls whether hot water goes to the taps or the heating — a stuck valve gives one but not the other
Pump Failure
If the pump seizes or fails, hot water can’t circulate around the system — radiators stay cold
Thermostat / Programmer Fault
A faulty or miswired thermostat can stop the boiler ever receiving a call for heat
Trapped Air / Airlock
Air trapped in the system can cause banging noises, cold radiators and circulation problems
Our Boiler Breakdown Repair Process
Straightforward, honest, and focused on getting your heating back fast
Phone Diagnosis
We ask a few quick questions — pressure, error codes, symptoms — to narrow down the likely fault and bring the right parts with us where possible.
On-Site Diagnostic
Full inspection of the boiler, controls and system — reading fault codes, checking pressure, flow and electrical components to confirm the fault.
Repair on the Day, Where Possible
We carry high-failure parts on the van — pumps, valves, PCBs and sensors for the major brands — so most repairs are completed on the same visit.
Testing & Safety Check
After repair, we test the boiler through a full heating and hot water cycle and confirm it’s operating safely before we leave.
Advice to Prevent Recurrence
We’ll flag anything likely to cause future breakdowns and recommend an annual service to catch issues before they leave you without heat.
Why Choose MAK Plumbing for Your Boiler Breakdown?
Local, qualified, and stocked to fix it fast
Gas Safe Registered
All our engineers are Gas Safe registered (Reg: 939043). Always check the ID card of anyone working on your boiler.
Fast Response
Based in Streatham, we cover all of South West London and aim to attend breakdowns same day wherever possible.
All Major Brands
15+ years’ experience across Vaillant, Worcester Bosch, Baxi, Potterton, Ideal and Viessmann boilers.
Repair on the Day
High-failure parts carried on the van, so most breakdowns are fixed on the same visit — no waiting days for a follow-up.
Boiler Breakdown Pricing
Transparent, fixed hourly rate — no hidden callout charges
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Boiler Breakdown Diagnosis & Repair | £75/hour |
| Replacement Parts (PCB, pump, valve, sensor, etc.) | At cost — quoted before work |
| Annual Boiler Service (prevent future breakdowns) | From £80 |
| Post-Repair Safety Check & Function Test | Included |
All prices include VAT. Parts charged at cost. We always quote before proceeding with any repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
My boiler has no heating or hot water — what should I check first?
Check the pressure gauge is between 1 and 1.5 bar, confirm the thermostat and programmer are calling for heat, and in cold weather check whether the condensate pipe (the white plastic pipe usually running outside) has frozen. If your boiler shows an error code, note it down before calling — it helps us diagnose faster.
What does the error code on my boiler display mean?
Error codes vary by manufacturer, but common ones include ignition faults (e.g. F1, F4, EA), low pressure faults (e.g. F75, E118) and PCB or sensor faults. Tell us the exact code and boiler brand/model when you call and we can often narrow down the fault before we arrive.
Why has my boiler stopped working suddenly in cold weather?
A sudden breakdown during a cold snap is very often a frozen condensate pipe — the plastic pipe that carries condensation away from the boiler, usually routed outside. When it freezes, the boiler locks out as a safety measure. This can sometimes be thawed safely, but if you’re not confident doing this yourself, call us.
Is it worth repairing an old boiler or should I replace it?
It depends on the age, the fault and the cost of the part. As a rough guide, if a boiler is under 10 years old and the repair cost is reasonable relative to a new installation, repair is usually the better option. We’ll always give you an honest recommendation and a fixed price before any work goes ahead — we don’t push replacements unnecessarily.
Do you carry parts to fix my boiler on the same visit?
Yes, for the most common faults. Our vans carry high-failure parts such as diverter valves, PCBs, pumps and sensors for the major brands we work on. Where a part needs to be specially ordered, we’ll advise you on timescales and keep you updated.
How much does a boiler breakdown call-out cost?
Diagnosis and repair is charged at £75 per hour, with any parts quoted separately before work proceeds and charged at cost. There are no hidden callout charges — the hourly rate covers the visit.
Boiler Broken Down in South West London?
Don’t wait days without heating or hot water. Our Gas Safe engineers diagnose and repair most faults on the same visit.
07900 247 384Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm | Sat: 8am-4pm | Gas Safe Reg: 939043