Having boiler troubles? If you’ve got an annoying fault code, no hot water or perhaps even a water leak coming from your boiler, you’re going to need a professional to come and take a look.
But not just any plumber or heating engineer will do. You need someone who is Gas Safe registered, to make sure that all work is completed safely and competently.
Read on for more reasons why a certified Gas Safe engineer is a must for all boiler repairs or maintenance.
What is the Gas Safe Register?
The Gas Safe Register is the UK’s only official gas registration organisation. It’s the law that all gas-related businesses must be on the Register.
To get on the Register, heating and gas engineers must have a valid and up-to-date qualification. This means that they are fully trained and competent to carry out gas work safely, including working on boilers.
You might think that this means that you never have to check whether someone is on the Gas Safe Register, because it’s a requirement by law.
However, some tradespeople work in related fields such as plumbing or electric heating, and may not be on the Register. They can work on components and systems which are unrelated to gas. But when it comes to maintaining or repairing a boiler, you must opt for a certified Gas Safe engineer instead.
You might sometimes hear gas or heating engineers referred to as CORGI registered. This was the previous registration body in the UK, but the Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI in 2009.
3 Reasons To Always Use a Gas Safe Registered Engineer For Boiler Repairs
Here are just a few of the many reasons why it’s so essential to find a Gas Safe engineer to work on your boiler (and check their credentials too):
1. It’s the Law
There are very good reasons that it’s UK law for all companies and engineers working on gas appliances to be properly qualified and registered. It’s why the Gas Safe Register (and before that, CORGI) was set up. And besides this, there’s also the fact that using a non-registered engineer will almost certainly invalidate your boiler’s warranty.
2. It’s Crucial for Your Safety
You wouldn’t want an unqualified electrician working on the wiring on your house, so why would it be any different with the engineer carrying out repairs on a gas boiler? Gas appliances can potentially be extremely dangerous if not installed and maintained by a competent, fully trained expert. Risks include explosive gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning and many more.
3. You’ll Get an Assurance of High Quality Work
You’re paying for boiler repairs, so you’ll naturally want to make sure that everything is done to the highest possible standard. Your boiler is one of the most important and hardest-working appliances in your home, so it needs to be running safely and efficiently. With a Gas Safe registered engineer, you know that it’ll be in skilled, experienced hands.
How to Find a Gas Safe Registered Engineer
It’s really easy to find a certified Gas Safe engineer. You can visit the Gas Safe Register website and search using your postcode. This will show you registered businesses and engineers in your area.
If you’re booking someone in based on a personal recommendation, make sure you ask if they are on the Gas Safe Register. You should also ask for their registration number.
The full list is available to the public on the Gas Safe Register website, so it’s easy to check whether the engineer is in fact registered. If they’re not, steer clear. You may also want to put in a report to the Register, if you have evidence that someone is claiming to be certified when they’re not.
