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Is Your Boiler Problem an Emergency? Safety Checklist | ARA Services

Is Your Boiler Problem an Emergency?
A simple safety checklist (no guessing)

This page is here for that horrible moment where you’re thinking: “Do I need emergency boiler repair… or am I panicking?” We’ll keep it plain. No troubleshooting steps here (those live on the other guides). This is just safety + routing.

Emergency route Standard boiler repairs Call +44 7727 154746

People usually find us by searching “boiler repair near me” or “gas boiler repair near me”. If you’re in London and you’re unsure what category you’re in, this checklist will get you there fast.

If any of these are happening, treat it as an emergency. Gas smell, a carbon monoxide alarm, soot/black marks around the boiler or flue, or anyone feeling dizzy/sick in the property (especially if it improves when you step outside). Don’t “see if it clears”. Use: emergency boiler help or call +44 7727 154746.

The decision tree (read top to bottom)

I’ll be honest: most “emergency” calls aren’t gas emergencies — they’re urgent comfort problems. But the dangerous stuff is rare and serious, so we sort it first, every time.

EMERGENCY Gas / CO / combustion warning signs

If you smell gas, hear a hiss near a meter/pipe, your CO alarm is sounding, or you notice soot staining around the boiler/flue, that’s not a “repair booking” situation. Route here: emergency boiler repair guidance.

EMERGENCY Water + electrics / heavy leak risk

Water dripping onto electrics, a leak that’s spreading fast, or a boiler cupboard that’s wet and smells electrical = emergency route. If it’s a manageable leak (contained, no electrics involved), it may be urgent-but-not-dangerous. Either way, the leak triage page is here: boiler leaking — what to do now.

URGENT No heat/no hot water for vulnerable households

No heating can be urgent without being dangerous — especially with babies, elderly residents, or health conditions. If that’s your situation, we treat it as priority. Do the quick triage checks (once) then call: no heating / no hot water quick checks.

URGENT Repeated lockouts, scary noises, or “it keeps stopping”

A boiler that fires then shuts down repeatedly, shows a fault code, or keeps locking out is usually a standard repair booking — unless it’s paired with the emergency signs above. The lockout guide (info-only) is here: lockouts & error codes. If the sound is violent banging/whistling, use: banging / kettling noise causes.

STANDARD It’s broken, but there are no danger signs

If it’s “just” no heating, no hot water, pressure issues, or a fault code — and you’ve got no gas/CO/leak-to-electrics concerns — you’re usually in standard boiler repairs territory. Book here: local boiler repair in London.

If you’re researching cost before you book, we’ve got a separate price page so this one stays clean: boiler repair cost in London.

Still unsure? Don’t gamble on safety.

If anything feels “off” — weird smell, CO alarm, soot marks, water near electrics — go emergency. If it’s a normal breakdown with no danger signs, book a proper diagnostic repair. Either way, we’ll keep it calm and clear (no sales script).

FAQ (the questions people actually ask)

Is “no heating and no hot water” automatically an emergency?

Not automatically. It’s urgent, yes — especially in cold weather — but it’s usually a standard repair unless you also have gas/CO warning signs or water affecting electrics. If it’s just not firing, start with: 10 quick checks.

What about a small drip under the boiler?

A small drip can still become a bigger problem, but it’s not always “emergency” unless it’s near electrics or spreading fast. Use the make-safe leak page: boiler leaking — what to do.

My boiler is making banging noises — should I turn it off and call?

If the noise is aggressive (banging, kettle-like roar) and it keeps shutting down, it’s best treated as urgent. The noise guide explains what it usually indicates: banging / kettling boiler noise.

Pressure keeps dropping — emergency or standard repair?

Usually standard repair, unless there’s an active leak or water is affecting electrics. For diagnosis (not emergency steps), see: boiler losing pressure causes.

I’m trying to find “boiler repair near me” — what should I ask on the phone?

Ask if they’re Gas Safe registered, what they’ll test first, and whether they’ll explain options before fitting parts. Here’s the full trust guide: how to choose a legit engineer.

Ready to book? If you’ve ruled out the emergency signs, book standard diagnostics and repair here: boiler repairs in London. If it’s safety-related, go here: emergency boiler help. Or call +44 7727 154746.
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