PHAM NEWS | JUNE 2026 10 News Review Industry viewpoint Boiler servicing


As the summer approaches and heating systems are switched off, it’s a good time for heating engineers to carry out boiler services. Steve Sutton, technical manager at the HHIC, explains why an annual service provides an opportunity to assess the health and efficiency of the entire system.


Chance to score with Salamander


Salamander Pumps has launched a brand- new installer promotion for its TankBoost solution. Each customer who purchases TankBoost between 1 June and 31 July will receive a free premium training football with every pumped unit bought. In addition, a limited number of TankBoost units will include an exclusive golden ball. If found, the customer will win a Salamander Pumps sponsorship for an FA-affiliated under-16s football team’s kit. TankBoost is an all-in-one mains boosting solution, combining a storage tank and powerful submerged pump to increase water pressure and flow across multiple outlets and floors – up to 3 bar and 80 litres/min, or 5 bar and 120 litres/ min.


Bath removal could dent a home’s value, says survey


Homeowners opting for sleek walk-in showers over traditional bathtubs are being hit by a ‘shower-only penalty’, with estate agents warning that the trend could wipe up to 4% off a property’s market value. New research reveals that despite the rise of modern wetrooms, the humble bathtub remains a non-negotiable for buyers, with homes lacking one taking up to two months longer to sell.


The research, from Drench.co.uk and speaking to estate agents and prospective homebuyers nationwide, suggests that in today’s property market the presence of a bath can play a major role in both the value and saleability of a home. While 19% of Brits say they do not have a


bath in their home, nearly half (47%) of estate agents surveyed believe that homes without at least one bathtub see their market value reduced by 3-4%, while a further quarter (25%) estimate the impact could be as high as 5-6%. According to industry professionals, the


absence of a bath is also thought to narrow buyer appeal significantly, with 29% of property professionals reporting that homes with only walk-in showers can alienate between 21% and 40% of prospective buyers. Drench’s research found that 80% of


respondents who currently have a bath in their home still use a bath regularly, and for 45% of Brits, the lack of one is a total deal-breaker when searching for a new home. Of those currently without a bath,


almost a quarter (23%) either want to add a bath to their property or in the process of getting one.


Wise investment There is also a growing confidence in the financial return of bathroom upgrades. A striking 83% of property professionals agree that adding a bathroom will recoup its installation cost, whilst almost a quarter (24%) believe installing a bath can add more value than it costs. If space allows, experts advise investing in


a freestanding bath as it is more Pinterest- worthy and aspirational, while also appealing as a practical solution for families with young children. Samantha Lawson, senior bathroom


designer at Drench, notes that current trends point towards designs that balance style with practicality: “We are seeing a growing demand for compact, freestanding tubs that create a luxurious focal point without requiring a massive footprint. When designing with resale in mind, it’s important to prioritise ‘zoning’ – in other words, ensuring the bath feels like a dedicated sanctuary, rather than an afterthought. This balance of style and practicality is what ultimately secures the highest valuation.”


Available in a range of tank sizes from 100


to 450 litres to meet the water demands for various property sizes, with the option to include additional storage tanks to increase capacity.


Commenting on the competition, marketing manager Claire Thompson says: “TankBoost has proven hugely popular with installers tackling low mains water pressure and flow, offering an easy-to-install and effective solution. “This promotion allows us to shine a spotlight on the TankBoost range as a highly effective water boosting product – whilst giving installers the chance to kick off their summer with a free training ball, plus the opportunity to win a full kit sponsorship.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/07


practice. The boiler service is not simply about the appliance in isolation – the heating engineer should carry out checks to confirm the safety and efficiency of the rest of the system too. A domestic gas boiler can appear


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to the householder to be operating normally, although hidden issues may be developing internally. Corrosion, condensate blockages, deteriorating seals or incorrect combustion can all reduce efficiency long before a customer notices a loss of comfort. Before starting, the heating engineer


should ask the householder if they have noticed any issues with the appliance, that radiators are heating up as they should and whether any fault codes have flashed up. The service will include a visual


inspection of the appliance and its installation, functional checks of safety devices, cleaning of components, flue and ventilation inspection and operational checks to make sure everything is working properly. The annual service is an opportunity


for the heating engineer to spot any signs that the boiler may not have been installed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. If any household renovations have been carried out, it’s also a good time to check that any changes to pipework or flues are working properly and, importantly, still compliant.


Combustion checks Modern condensing boilers rely on finely tuned combustion for both safe operation and peak seasonal efficiency. A flue gas analysis is a critical part of every service. The engineer should run the appliance,


check gas pressure and gas rate as appropriate, visually inspect flame quality where visible and perform flue gas analysis. The flue itself should be checked throughout its length, including the terminal, while open-flued appliances require additional spillage and flue-flow testing. This process not only confirms safe


combustion but can reveal partial blockage, poor gas supply, or early signs of heat exchanger deterioration before a breakdown occurs.


Checking the system At HHIC, we recommend that, as best practice, engineers should ‘walk the system’ after the appliance checks are complete. That means inspecting emitters, controls and associated components to ensure the entire installation is working efficiently and safely. Key checks should include:


• System pressure – on sealed systems,


t HHIC, we recommend that a proper service should follow both the appliance manufacturer’s instructions and recognised industry best


verify that operating pressure is within the manufacturer’s specified range. Low pressure may indicate a leak, while repeated discharge from the Pressure Relief Valve can point to expansion vessel issues.


• Radiator performance – confirm all


radiators are heating evenly. Cold spots can indicate trapped air, balancing issues or a build-up of sludge.


• Leaks and corrosion – visually inspect


valves, pipework, and radiators for seepage or corrosion that may not yet have been reported by the customer.


7593 2019+A1:2024 requires the system water to be tested throughout the life of the heating system. Inhibitor levels should be checked during the annual service, topped up as necessary and recorded on Benchmark.


• System water treatment checks –BS • Magnetic filter maintenance – if a


system filter is installed, remove collected sludge and debris.


• Hot water cylinder condition – on


systems with hot water storage, check the cylinder for obvious leaks, insulation condition and visible installation defects.


• Controls operation – confirm


thermostats, programmers and time controls are functioning correctly and set as intended. Incorrect settings can lead to unnecessary fuel use. These additional checks can often


explain why a customer feels their heating is underperforming even when the boiler itself is technically sound. Once the appliance service has been


completed, the heating engineer can complete the service record. This could be the paper record that the customer retains or we recommend the online Benchmark checklist.


Educating the customer Heating engineers are in a strong position to use the annual service as an educational touchpoint. It’s an opportunity to explain simple efficiency improvements, such as reducing the flow temperatures on condensing boilers, correcting heating schedules to match occupancy, bleeding radiators and the importance of fitting or replacing compliant CO alarms.


And finally… Annual servicing remains one of the most important interventions in maintaining domestic heating systems. For installers, it should be viewed as a whole-system assessment, not just proving combustion and gas safety, but checking hydraulic performance, controls, water quality and overall efficiency. At HHIC, we believe that a boiler service


should be thought of in the same way as a car’s MOT, protecting customer safety, keeping the appliance in good working condition and reducing energy waste – which is exactly why it remains such a critical part of ongoing boiler care. ◼ www.hhic.org.uk


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