Project Overview
| Location | Godalming, Surrey (GU7) |
|---|---|
| Call-out | Emergency — boiler leaking |
| System | Vokèra gas boiler in a cupboard, with a magnetic system filter |
| Fault found | Leak from a joint inside the boiler caused by a failed washer |
| Work completed | Boiler isolated and drained, washer replaced, system refilled and heating and hot water tested |
The Challenge
A customer in Godalming called us out because their boiler was leaking. A leaking boiler is never one to leave: water inside the casing can reach the electrics, the system loses pressure, and a small drip can turn into a breakdown or water damage to the cupboard and floor below.
The job was to stop the leak safely, find out exactly where it was coming from, and get the heating and hot water working again on the same visit.
The Solution: Drain Down and Replace the Washer
On arrival we isolated and drained down the boiler so the inside could be worked on safely and dry. That let us trace the water to its source: the leak was coming from a joint, where the washer had failed.
We replaced the washer to stop the leak, then refilled the system and tested both the heating and the hot water. Both were working correctly before we left.
Why Boilers Leak from Joints
Inside a boiler, pipes are joined with threaded fittings sealed by washers. Every heating cycle warms and cools them, and over the years the seal can harden or perish. When it does, water weeps from the joint — usually slowly at first.
- Find the real source: Water runs along pipes and drips from the lowest point, so the drip is rarely where the leak is. Draining down and inspecting dry is the reliable way to trace it.
- Fix the cause, not the symptom: A new washer restores the seal on the joint itself, rather than tightening a fitting and hoping.
- Check what is next to it: While the boiler was open we noted a section of pipe and a flexible hose showing rust, so the customer knows what to watch.
- Test everything after: A refill and full test of heating and hot water proves the repair holds under normal pressure.
The Repair Process
- Isolate and drain: The boiler was isolated and drained down.
- Trace the leak: The leak was found coming from a joint.
- Replace the washer: A new washer was fitted to stop the leak.
- Inspect nearby parts: A section of pipe and a rusty flexible hose were noted for replacement if the leak returns.
- Refill and test: The system was refilled and the heating and hot water tested — both working correctly.
The Results
The leak was stopped on the same visit and the Godalming flat has working heating and hot water again. The customer also knows exactly which pipe and hose to replace if the leak ever returns, rather than facing another surprise call-out.
Recommended Follow-Up
- If the leak returns: Replace the affected section of pipe and the rusty flexible hose.
- Hive smart controls: Supply and install Hive smart controls with Hive TRV heads for better room-by-room control of the heating. We will quote separately.
Leaking Boiler Questions
What should I do if my boiler is leaking?
Turn the boiler off, isolate the electrical supply if water is near it, put a container under the drip and call a Gas Safe engineer. Do not remove the boiler casing yourself.
Is a leaking boiler expensive to fix?
Not always. Many leaks come from a joint or washer, which is a quick repair once the boiler has been drained and the source found — as on this Godalming job. Leaks from the heat exchanger or a failed component cost more, which is why tracing the source matters. Read more about our boiler repairs.
Do you cover Godalming?
Yes. Talis covers Godalming and nearby Guildford, Farnham, Cranleigh and Woking. For another leak, see our leaking expansion vessel call-out in Ashford, and for smart heating controls our Hive heating repair in Virginia Water.