Antalya has a much shorter heating season than most of Turkey, which means combi boilers sit idle for a large part of the year. A boiler that has been resting for months can develop unexpected problems right when the season opens. This guide separates the checks you can safely handle at home from those that must be left to a licensed service technician.
Checks You Can Safely Do Yourself
The items below require no technical training or special tools, just observation and a simple adjustment.
1. Read the Water Pressure
Check the pressure gauge on the boiler's front panel. Most Vaillant models list the ideal range in the user manual; if the needle is too low, you can gently top it up using the boiler's own filling valve. If pressure keeps dropping repeatedly, note it and report it to a service technician instead of repeatedly refilling it yourself.
2. Bleed the Radiators
If a radiator is hot at the bottom and cold at the top, or makes gurgling noises, trapped air is likely the cause. You can open the bleed valve at the top of the radiator slowly and let the air out until water appears, keeping an eye on the system pressure while doing so.
3. Visually Inspect Around the Boiler
Look for any moisture, water pooling or rust marks under or around the boiler. If you notice any sign of leakage, do not touch the unit; call a licensed service technician instead.
4. Check the Flue Outlet From Outside
From outside, check that the boiler's flue outlet is not blocked by a bird's nest, leaves, debris or anything else. Antalya's coastal humidity and salty air can accelerate dirt build-up and corrosion on outdoor surfaces, so this check matters more here than inland. If you suspect a blockage, do not clean it yourself; report it to the service team.
5. Test the Thermostat and Control Panel
Make sure your room thermostat or the boiler's control panel responds correctly when you change the temperature setting, and replace batteries if needed.
Checks That Require a Licensed Technician
The items below require measuring equipment, technical knowledge and sometimes certification; do not attempt these yourself.
6. Flue and Combustion Gas Check
Whether the flue draught is functioning correctly and combustion gases are not leaking into living spaces can only be confirmed with measuring instruments by a technician. This check is essential at the start of the season to prevent carbon monoxide risk.
7. Gas Line and Connection Tightness Check
The tightness of the gas line and its connection fittings leading to the boiler is checked by a licensed technician using foam testing and pressure measurement. In Turkey, this is formally known as a gas tightness test and is required as part of the official installation approval process handled by the local gas distribution company (in Antalya, Enerya Antalya).
8. Combustion Setting and Efficiency Check
In a boiler that has sat idle for a long time, combustion settings can drift, leading to inefficient heating and unnecessary fuel use. Whether the setting is correct is measured with specialised equipment and adjusted by a technician if needed.
9. Internal Cleaning and Wear Parts
Components such as the heat exchanger, ignition electrode and ionisation probe need cleaning and, if necessary, replacement, which requires opening the boiler's internal casing. This should only be done by a licensed service provider so the manufacturer warranty is not voided.
10. General Function Test
A service technician runs the boiler through all its modes (central heating and hot water) to check heating time, noise level and responsiveness. This end-to-end test at the start of the season reduces the risk of a sudden breakdown on a cold day.
Why Check Before It Gets Cold?
In Antalya, heating demand is concentrated into a short window, and most households switch their boilers back on around the same time, which can make service appointments harder to get once the season starts. Scheduling a check before temperatures drop makes it easier to book a technician and avoids being left without heating on a cold day.
If You Smell Gas
If you notice a gas smell during a boiler check or at any other time: without touching any electrical switch or flame source, close the gas meter valve, open windows to ventilate, leave the building, and call Enerya Antalya's emergency line, 187, from outside. Never attempt to dismantle or repair the installation yourself.
Pre-Winter Checks With Devka Doğalgaz
As an authorised Vaillant dealer in Antalya, Devka Doğalgaz offers a complete boiler maintenance and service covering flue inspection, gas tightness checks, combustion tuning and internal cleaning. Call us at 0553 028 82 80 or request an appointment through our contact page to get ready for winter.
Frequently asked questions
When should I get my boiler checked before winter?
In a region like Antalya where the heating season is short, it is best to schedule a check a few weeks before temperatures drop, so any fault is fixed before you actually need heating.
What happens if a boiler is unused for most of the year?
Water pressure can drop, the circulation pump can seize slightly, and trapped air can build up in the system, all of which cause uneven heating when the boiler is switched back on at the start of the season.
Can I adjust the water pressure myself?
Reading the pressure gauge and gently topping it up with the boiler's own filling valve is something most homeowners can do; but if pressure keeps dropping repeatedly, that can indicate a leak and the cause should be investigated by a licensed technician.
Can I check the flue myself?
No. Flue draught, gas tightness and combustion settings require technical knowledge and measuring equipment, so these checks must always be done by a licensed service technician.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Without touching any electrical switch or flame source, close the boiler and gas meter valve, ventilate the space, leave the building and call Enerya Antalya's emergency line, 187, from outside.
