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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.

Full emergency boiler guide Book a Gas Safe diagnosis Call +44 7727 154746
Both heat and hot water gone? Leaking boiler: safe steps Pressure dropping fast?

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: Full emergency boiler guide 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.

Signs your boiler issue may be urgent

If any of the above is paired with a gas smell, CO alarm, or soot marks, don’t “monitor it” — jump straight to the emergency route.

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: Full emergency boiler guide.

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, use: Leaking boiler: safe steps.

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. Start with: Both heat and hot water gone? then call if you still have nothing.

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. If you’re in that “it keeps stopping” loop, this is usually the fix route: Book a Gas Safe diagnosis.

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: Book a Gas Safe diagnosis. If you suspect system pressure issues specifically, start here: Pressure dropping fast?

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. Start here: Both heat and hot water gone?

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: Leaking boiler: safe steps.

Pressure keeps dropping — emergency or standard repair?

Usually standard repair, unless there’s an active leak or water is affecting electrics. For causes + what to do next, use: Pressure dropping fast?

What’s the safest “next step” if I’m unsure?

If you have any gas/CO signs or water near electrics, go emergency: Full emergency boiler guide. If there are no danger signs, book diagnostics: Book a Gas Safe diagnosis.

Ready to book? If you’ve ruled out the emergency signs, book standard diagnostics and repair here: Book a Gas Safe diagnosis. If it’s safety-related, use: Full emergency boiler guide. Or call +44 7727 154746.
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