Boiler Not Heating Water
Your boiler is firing and the display shows it's working, but your radiators stay stubbornly cold. This heating circulation fault is one of the most common call-outs we receive in Greater Vancouver — especially after the first cold snap of autumn when systems are turned on after months of disuse.
The cause could be as simple as an airlock or as complex as a failed circulation pump or blocked heat exchanger. Our licensed technicians diagnose the exact cause using infrared temperature measurements and flow testing, providing a fixed written quote before any repair begins.
Why Your Boiler Heats But Radiators Stay Cold
This fault typically stems from a circulation problem: a failed or seized pump, air trapped in the system preventing flow, a blocked filter or strainer, or a stuck diverter valve (on combi boilers) that's directing hot water to the wrong circuit. Less commonly, a clogged plate heat exchanger or frozen condensate pipe can cause the boiler to short-cycle without heating the system.
Our Diagnostic Process
We start by checking the pump is running (you should hear a hum), measuring flow and return pipe temperatures with an infrared thermometer to see if there's any circulation, and verifying the diverter valve position on combi boilers. We check for air at bleed points and inspect filters. Most circulation faults are diagnosed within 30 minutes and many are fixed same-day.
This is not a DIY repair
Combi boilers are gas-fired appliances regulated under the BC Safety Standards Act. Opening the unit, touching the gas valve, or working on the flue without a valid BC gas-fitter licence is both unsafe and illegal. Diagnosing the fault is helpful — fixing it should always be left to a certified technician.
Call 778-909-5731Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to a Licensed Combi Boiler Specialist
Free, no-obligation quotes across Greater Vancouver. CombiBoiler.ca — A division of ROMA Heating Ltd..