I have a missing screw on my boiler cover, what should I do & is this dangerous

Martin Smith a gas safe registered engineer & also an emergency plumber manchester explains what you need to know about the missing screw on the boiler.

The boiler has many screws, however the main screw on the case is an essential screw to the boiler and must always be in place when the boiler is in use. Just below are a few questions people may ask related to the boiler screw but also answer in our missing boiler screw article.

9 Questions related to your missing boiler screw below

• I have a missing screw on my boiler cover, is this dangerous?
• If I have a missing screw, who should I call?
• Can I buy a screw for my boiler if it is missing?
• Where can I buy a boiler screw as mine is missing?
• If I’m unable to buy a screw for my boiler, is there any other way of keeping it safe?
• What are the problems a missing screw from my boiler case can cause?
• What is a missing screw classed as under the gas safe regulations?
• What is the worse that can happen if a screw is missing on the boiler case?
• How does a screw go missing on a boiler case?

9 Answers to the missing screw case on the boiler

I have a missing screw on my boiler cover, is this dangerous

Having a missing screw on your boiler can be dangerous if, it is a screw that secures either a flue or a boiler cover that leads to an open area of carbon monoxide poisoning. The more unsecured the boiler, the higher chances of getting carbon monoxide poisoning. There is another point to take in about getting carbon monoxide poisoning due to a missing screw on the boiler, one of the points is a direct passing of carbon monoxide, which is in the centre of the flue but also known as the flume. There is also the dead air space within the boiler which has a low chance of releasing carbon monoxide but we always manages to find one in the UK that ends up dyeing from this. Even if there is a 1 in such a such chance, then this is a chance that must be looked at professionally, meaning there is a danger to death all because of one missing screw to the boiler or more.

If I have a missing screw, who should I call

If you have a missing screw on your boiler, then you must call an emergency gas engineer, but it is also very important to check there ID on arrival.

Can I buy a screw for my boiler if it is missing

If your boiler is still being manufactured, then you will most likely be able to buy a screw, however this may only be achieved via the gas safe engineer as any member of the public is not allowed to do any work on the boiler case unless they are gas safe registered.

Where can I buy a boiler screw as mine is missing

If your looking to buy a boiler screw, then the best place to buy a screw would be from your local gas safe engineer. A gas safe engineer will most likely use the first aid boiler box which there should be plenty of spares.

If I’m unable to buy a screw for my boiler, is there any other way of keeping the boiler safe

If you or the engineer is not able to buy a screw for the boiler, the safety of the boiler is then in question, if the engineer is able to secure the boiler in any other way, then if anything was to happen due to the incorrect screw on the boiler, then the engineer that fitted this screw would be held accountable for it. As a gas safe register engineer, Martin Smith only believes in doing the job correctly and that is with the correct screws.

What are the problems a missing screw from my boiler case can cause

The problems with a missing screw from the boiler are: a missing screw will result in a case that is loose and free to come away, any cap in the case leading to the dead air within the boiler can lead to carbon monoxide being release within the home. This will cause carbon monoxide poisoning and can even lead to dizziness and death.

What is a missing screw classed as under the gas safe regulations

The missing screw is classes as under discretion as AR also known as At Risk situation where the appliance must be isolated from the gas, a warning notice must be place on the boiler.

What is the worse that can happen if a screw is missing on the boiler case

The worse that can happen with a missing screw to the boiler case is death. The least that can happen when the boiler is on is nothing.

How does a screw go missing on a boiler case

The screw will most likely go missing if the boiler case is taken off and the gas engineer working on the boiler loses the screw. This can be common due to the care taken when working on the boiler. The best thing an engineer can do is to have an empty tool box which is just used for temporary parts coming off the boiler. In allot of cases it has been found that a gas engineer will come away from the boiler not saying anything as this can be costly and embarrassing to the gas engineer. Martin Smith believe being a gas engineer is a job that has to be dealt with, with precision.

Social Comments from engineers about the missing boiler screw

@parkesplumbing – the boiler case isn’t air tight though and poc’s could easily escape. If there was a screw missing from the combustion chamber cover then it could well be an at risk situation.

If your a customer and have had similar situation but also looking for some advice or even a gas engineer to come out to your property, then please give us a call on 07720247247. We are a national company with good trust worthy gas engineers that will attend to your property issues such as you missing screw on your boiler and will advice carefully, but please bare in mind that this can end up in a situation where we have to isolate your boiler and please be prepared for the worse and hope for the best.

If your a gas engineer and would like to join our network but also interest in the missing screw to the boiler, then please feel free to join our plumbing register. If you have any other questions you feel that this boiler article may be missing, then please let us know.