Gas Boiler Faults
and What to Do

Gas boiler not starting, heating poorly or flaming out? Below: common faults, what you can safely check and when to call a licensed gas specialist.

Gas boiler in Tbilisi
  • Common causes of breakdowns
  • What you can check safely
  • When to call the gas emergency service
  • When a qualified specialist is needed

Common gas boiler faults

A gas boiler can heat poorly, shut down, flame out, throw an error code or run erratically. Below: common symptoms and what they may indicate.

  • 01

    Not turning on

    The boiler won't start, doesn't respond when switched on or fails to enter operating mode. The cause may be the ignition, sensors, power supply or controls.

  • 02

    Heats water poorly

    Water stays barely warm, the temperature swings or heating has become weaker than usual. The boiler's operation, settings and main components need to be checked.

  • 03

    Flames out during operation

    The boiler starts up but then shuts down. May be related to sensors, the flue draught, ignition, controls or unstable system operation.

  • 04

    Error code appears

    An error code appears on the panel or the indicators flag a fault. A specialist will check what's actually causing the shutdown or the misbehavior.

  • 05

    Runs erratically

    The boiler cycles on and off, the temperature shifts or it can't hold a normal heating mode. Diagnostics are needed to find the cause.

  • 06

    Unusual noise

    Humming, crackling or noise during operation can be a sign of scale, a heat-exchange issue or unstable burner operation.

If you smell gas

  1. Shut off the gas valve
  2. Open the windows and ventilate the space
  3. Don't switch lights or appliances on or off, and don't use your phone inside the space
  4. Leave the premises
  5. Call the gas emergency service at 114

Gas emergency service — 114. Unified emergency line — 112.

What you shouldn't try yourself

A gas boiler involves gas, flue draught, ignition and safety sensors. If the appliance is running erratically, don't open it or try to adjust components yourself.

  1. Don't dismantle the gas assembly

    Don't remove parts, don't touch internal connections and don't attempt to adjust the gas supply yourself.

  2. Don't disable the safety sensors

    The sensors keep the boiler running safely. If the appliance is throwing errors or flaming out, find the cause — don't bypass the safety system.

  3. Don't restart the appliance repeatedly

    If the boiler flames out, ticks, smells of gas or behaves unusually, don't keep trying to switch it back on.

  4. If you smell gas — act immediately

    Don't use the appliance, don't switch on the electrics, ventilate the space and call the gas emergency service immediately (in Georgia — 114). All further diagnostics must be done by a licensed gas specialist. Do not attempt repairs yourself.

  5. Don't change settings at random

    A random change to the temperature, power output or control settings can make the boiler run worse. Better to wait for diagnostics.

What the technician checks on site

The specialist starts with diagnostics: checking the start-up, ignition, sensors, controls, settings, connection and stable operation of the gas boiler. After the check they explain the cause and propose a fix.

Why diagnostics matter

On a gas boiler, the same symptom can have different causes. For example, the appliance may fail to start because of the ignition, a sensor, the flue draught, the power supply, the controls or the settings. So the exact cause has to be found first.

  • Checking the start-up, ignition and stable operation
  • Checking the sensors, controls and safety components
  • Inspecting the connection and visible boiler components
  • Diagnosing the cause of weak heating, error codes or shutdowns
  • Explaining the cause of the fault
  • Possible options: repair, adjustment, maintenance or replacement

What a gas boiler may need

Depending on the fault, the boiler may need one of the following:

Diagnostics and adjustment

  • start-up diagnostics;
  • error-code check;
  • operation tuning;
  • controls check.

Boiler component repair

  • ignition repair;
  • sensor check;
  • fault resolution;
  • restoring stable operation.

Preventive maintenance

  • preventive service;
  • cleaning accessible components;
  • operation check;
  • maintenance recommendations.

What happens
when you contact a specialist

Typical specialist workflow

  1. 01

    Contacting a specialist

    You describe what's happening with the boiler to the specialist: not starting, flaming out, heating poorly, throwing an error code or running erratically.

  2. 02

    We confirm the symptoms

    We'll ask for the boiler model and age, how the problem shows up, and whether there's an error on the panel, a smell, noise, shutdowns or weak heating.

  3. 03

    We run the diagnostics

    The technician will check the start-up, ignition, sensors, controls, settings and visible connection components.

  4. 04

    Explaining the cause

    Before the work begins, the specialist explains what's causing the fault and what the fix options are.

  5. 05

    We complete the repair and test the unit

    After the work, the technician will start the boiler up and check the heating stability, shutdowns, error codes and the overall operation of the appliance.

Gas boilers
from many brands

Gas boilers and tankless gas water heaters from these brands are most commonly found in apartments, houses and commercial spaces in Tbilisi.

Popular brands

Gas boiler types

  • Wall-mounted gas boilers
  • Gas water heaters
  • Tankless gas models
  • Boilers for apartments and private homes
  • Gas boilers in commercial spaces

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about gas boilers.

  • What kinds of gas boilers are there?

    In residential use you'll see gas boilers and gas water heaters from the popular brands: Ariston, Bosch, Baxi, Vaillant, Ferroli, Immergas, Beretta, Junkers and others. The specific model affects the components, settings and diagnostic flow, but the general principles are similar across most boilers.

  • What should I do if my gas boiler won't start?

    Don't dismantle the appliance yourself. You can only check the obvious: whether there's power, whether an error code is showing and whether the water is shut off. If there's a smell of gas or the boiler is behaving suspiciously — don't use it and call the gas emergency service (in Georgia — 114). After that, diagnostics must be carried out by a licensed gas specialist. Do not attempt repairs yourself.

  • Why does my gas boiler flame out during operation?

    The cause may be the ignition, sensors, the flue draught, the controls, the settings or other components. The exact problem is confirmed after diagnostics.

  • Can I adjust a gas boiler myself?

    It's best not to change settings at random. A gas boiler is a safety-critical appliance, so adjustment and diagnostics must be done by a licensed gas specialist.

  • What should I do if the boiler heats water poorly?

    Weak heating may be caused by the settings, a blockage, sensors, heat exchange, water pressure or other factors. The exact cause is revealed by a licensed-specialist diagnosis.

  • How long does diagnostics take?

    Diagnostics usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. The time depends on the boiler model, access to the appliance and the nature of the fault.

  • Can a gas boiler be repaired in a single visit?

    Often yes — if the fault is a typical one and no rare parts are needed. Some replacement parts may require a second specialist visit.

  • What if repairing the gas boiler isn't worth it?

    Sometimes a repair costs more than a replacement — for example, with a heavily worn heat exchanger, aged controls or extensive overall wear. In that case it makes more sense to replace the boiler entirely.

We don't accept requests for gas appliances

This page is reference material. If you have an electric water heater (boiler) — we repair, clean and replace those. Head to our electric water heater repair section.

Electric water heater repair