Boiler servicing?

[macka09]

Hi all.

I'm still very new to the gas industry and I've just been offered a servicing job. Although I have carried out various services their very few and far between.
What I wanna ask is whether most of you guys have a strict routine that you stick to? Things like, do you tightness test at the meter or do you isolate at the appliance and carry it out from there? Most the boilers I will be working on are fairly modern condensing combis. If any of you have the time to share your routine with me I'd greatly appreciate it. Please don't say look in the MIs as I'm trying to work out the best way round doing them as I'll be doing about 8 a day.

Also any specific tools you recommend?

Thanks guys.

 

[TFGplumbing]

I'll usually ask the customer if they have had any problems with it
Check the hw & ch for correct operation
Check flue & flue termination
Nice little sweepy sweepy - this is key
Clean condensate trap
Check expansion vessel (good lord use the built in doc's on the boilers)
Run it up on max
Inlet pressure
FGA - any adjustments as per MI
Gas rate
Check MI's for combustion specs (some will give certain figures for spripping etc some you have to strip anyway)
Finish with a tightness test (at the meter)

Tools

Paint brush
Flue brush set
Bicycle pump
A nice set of allan keys
Mirror on stick
Head light
Gas sniffer can be handy

 

[Alpha man]

Tightness test, gas pressures checked, flue products analysed, expansion vessel checked and pumped, remove case and vacuum inside combustion case, burner/ fan etc, visual check usuals, check and bleed rads and trvs, tightness test again, tea, biscuit and payment! = job done!

edit, good head torch!

 

[macka09]

Thanks for the replies. One quick question, both of you mention checking the vessel. I assume you mean to check whether water comes out the vessel and the pressure that's in it?

 

[TFGplumbing]

Turn boiler off, Isolate the flow & returns, drain via purpose doc, leave doc open, check pressure/re-charge, close doc & remember vent out any air from the boiler

You can get away on most occasions without checking it frankly & sometimes its more hassle than its worth on the older ones simply because the fecking isolators on the flow and returns end up leaking.

 

[TFGplumbing]

Turn boiler off, Isolate the flow & returns, drain via purpose doc, leave doc open, check pressure/re-charge, close doc & remember vent out any air from the boiler

You can get away on most occasions without checking it frankly & sometimes its more hassle than its worth on the older ones simply because the fecking isolators on the flow and returns end up leaking.

and then you get the classic ''it wasn't leaking before you serviced it''

 

[GrahamM]

Depends on who the servicing is for. i.e. housing work/landlords or private etc.

The housing generally wont pay for you draining the system to check the E/V and topping up with inhibitor so if looks ok....it is ok!
And generally you do not want to be isolating flow/return valves if you can help it. Especially on anything over 5yr old.
If landlords/housing work you will normally be expected to do tightness test at meter to test whole system. In my opinion best done at beginning as lets you confirm all ok before you start disturbing any appliances. No point in spending 2 hours servicing boiler and fire to find a 5mb drop at meter at end!

 

[Elgordo]

+1 on doing tightness test first off , that way if there is a leak you know you didn't cause it , inform the customer and charge accordingly .

 

[jtsplumbing]

Bet your doing the £18 service jobs, (It's that time of year again,) on a good day you may do 6, will be running around all over town, are you expected to do all appliances or just boiler and don't forget it will include a CP12 as well

 

[TFGplumbing]

Bet your doing the £18 service jobs, (It's that time of year again,) on a good day you may do 6, will be running around all over town, are you expected to do all appliances or just boiler and don't forget it will include a CP12 as well

I wouldn't get out of bed for that

 

[newcastle phill]

Soon racks up, before you know it youve done several hundred cp12s and have made a bang tidy couple of hundred squid

 

[hammers4spanner]

Bet your doing the £18 service jobs, (It's that time of year again,) on a good day you may do 6, will be running around all over town, are you expected to do all appliances or just boiler and don't forget it will include a CP12 as well

Im been getting those texts and calls now for the service game .

Stuff that rather stay in bed

 

[macka09]

It is social housing but full time work.

 

[hammers4spanner]

Yea but come on its pants money for gas work , always loads that aint in for starters .

Gas servicing should be like an MOT can only do 6 or 7 a day tops .

 

[jtsplumbing]

Will you be employed by housing association, or are you doing this through an agency ? if latter be carful they pay per property and expect you to do everything for a fixed price per house, usely around £18. & that includes your running costs.

 

[Rckape]

I've not been approached by these companies yet. It doesn't sound too good to me. Horses for courses though, if you can make it pay.

 

[macka09]

I am a bit sceptical as I always am. £15ph van provided. Tools my own.

 

[newcastle phill]

I actually feel left out. I never get approached lol

 

[lame plumber]

Soon racks up, before you know it youve done several hundred cp12s and have made a bang tidy couple of hundred squid

when you charge £75 for a combi service or llc, the money racks up a dam sight quicker 🙂

 

[macka09]

Very true

 

[jtsplumbing]

I am a bit sceptical as I always am. £15ph van provided. Tools my own.

Who pays for fuel ? Take it you are being employed by this Co ? and not self employed ! + who's GS number are you working under ? & who's insurance.

 

[macka09]

Not my number. Company pays fuel. There insurance.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Not my number. Company pays fuel. There insurance.

So are you going to be employed or self employed ? fine line as to what HMRC will accept !!

 

[macka09]

Employed

 

[TFGplumbing]

Employed

15pph ain't bad if you're on the firm imho.