Heating emergency in Belgium
A heating emergency starts with triage: if you smell gas, a CO alarm sounds or you see smoke, leave the space, warn others and call 112 or your regional gas emergency line. When it stays safe, we separate a full boiler shutdown from cold radiators while the appliance still runs. Van Dijk Home guides you where possible through safe checks on pressure around 1 to 2 bar, fault codes, thermostat and power, then schedules attendance by urgency, area and availability.
- Final price given before we start
- Up to 2 years warranty on labour
- Emergency line available 24/7
- Direct phone contact: +32 2 000 00 00
Our approach
Emergency with triage, readings and targeted repair
We start from safety and the type of outage, stabilise pressure and flue, read fault history and circuit readings, and repair only once you agree.
- 01
Phone triage and safety
We ask whether there is a smell, smoke or a CO alarm, and whether the boiler is fully off or only radiators stay cold. With gas or CO the appliance stays off and we point to 112 or the gas emergency line; otherwise we review safe steps such as reading pressure and checking the thermostat.
- 02
Stabilise the situation
On arrival we measure pressure, flue and CO in the room before further work. If the situation is unsafe the boiler stays off until the cause is clear and no leak or suffocation risk remains.
- 03
Cause on boiler and circuit
We read fault history and test the circulation pump, condensate route, flame sensor and pressure loss. That shows whether a quick repair is enough or a part is temporarily missing and heat must stay limited.
- 04
Repair after agreement
The proposed repair follows your agreement, at the day, evening or weekend rate where it applies. After the work come venting, repressurising and a safety check with recorded readings.
- 05
Handover and follow-up
We explain what failed, which values are normal and whether venting or balancing is still needed. With repeated pressure drop or safety signals we point to the right follow-up, from servicing to a gas check.
Common causes
Why heating fails or becomes unsafe
Pressure loss from a micro-leak, lost expansion-vessel precharge or air in the circuit locks the boiler out while radiators stay cold. Without a pressure reading every symptom looks like a boiler fault.
A circulation pump that fails to start or seizes leaves hot pipes at the boiler and cold radiators further away, sometimes with a code that points at the burner.
A fouled or frozen condensate drain blocks the boiler in cold weather; a failed flame or ionisation sensor can cause repeated shutdowns without the circuit being at fault.
Gas or combustion signals are not DIY fixes: leakage, abnormal smell or a CO alarm require immediate evacuation and emergency services, then technical follow-up.
Related services
From emergency to prevention
After stabilisation we link to repair, venting, servicing or a gas check depending on what we measure on site.
Warning signs
When to call a heating engineer urgently
Not every cold home is equally urgent. These signs help you decide whether you can wait or must act at once.
- Smell of gas, smoke from the boiler or a CO alarm: leave and call 112 or the gas emergency line.
- Boiler fully off or in permanent lockout during frost.
- Radiators stay cold while the boiler runs and the thermostat calls for heat.
- Pressure below about 1 bar and drops again soon after topping up.
- Repeated fault codes after reset, or short firing cycles then shutdown.
- Frozen condensate drain or audible discharge, with leak or unusual noise at start-up.
Before the technician arrives
Safety first, then prepare
With gas, CO or smoke, safety overrides any self-check. When the situation stays normal, a few steps help us diagnose faster.
- 01
Gas, CO or smoke
Leave the space, warn others, ventilate from a safe distance where possible, and call 112 or your regional gas emergency line. Do not restart the boiler or force a reset.
- 02
Note pressure and fault code
Read the gauge with the circuit cold: many installations run around 1 to 2 bar. Write down the fault code or display text and whether the boiler is fully off or only radiators are cold.
- 03
Thermostat, power and valves
Check the thermostat is calling for heat and the boiler power switch is on. Do not close valves at random; note if some radiator valves are shut.
- 04
Bleed only when safe
One cold radiator upstairs may improve with venting when there is no smell or leak and pressure stays stable. When in doubt, wait until we are on site.
Transparent pricing
What determines the price
Our call-outs start from €72.60 incl. 21% VAT.
Emergency attendance depends on time of day, the confirmed cause and whether parts are in stock. Evening, night or weekend may carry a different rate, discussed before work starts, with no fixed promise on arrival time.
After stabilisation and diagnosis you receive the final price for the proposed repair. Temporary measures or safe isolation are named separately when a part must be fitted later.
Benefits
- Safety first: gas, CO and smoke before any repair
- Full boiler outage distinguished from a circuit problem
- Scheduling by urgency and availability
- Evening and weekend rates explained clearly
Equipment & techniques
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Question not on the list? We answer it by phone, no obligation.
+32 2 000 00 00How much does heating emergency cost?
Our call-outs start from €72.60 incl. 21% VAT. Emergency attendance depends on time of day, the confirmed cause and whether parts are in stock.
What should I do if I smell gas or the CO alarm sounds?
Leave the space, warn others and call 112 or your regional gas emergency line. Do not restart the boiler. Once the situation is declared safe we plan a technical check or repair.
Should I top up pressure before you arrive?
Only when there is no smell, leak or CO signal and you know how the filling valves work. Note pressure before and after; if it keeps dropping we prefer to measure on site rather than mask a micro-leak.
What is the difference between boiler outage and cold radiators?
With a full outage the appliance is off or in lockout. If it runs but radiators stay cold we look at air, pump, balancing or a blocked condensate route. That split sets urgency and the first readings.
How quickly can you attend?
We schedule by urgency, area and availability, without a fixed promise on minutes or hours. Gas or CO emergencies remain with the emergency services and gas emergency line.
Is evening or weekend emergency more expensive?
It may carry a different rate. You hear which rate applies and what the repair will cost before work starts, including parts we propose on site.
What warranty applies after emergency repair?
Up to 2 years warranty on labour; parts carry the manufacturer’s warranty.
When should you call a heating engineer straight away?
If you smell gas, leave the building and call 112 before doing anything else. Other signs also call for action: a carbon monoxide alarm going off, soot marks or fumes around the boiler, a lockout that keeps returning, or a leak on the heating circuit. Avoid resetting the boiler over and over, as the lockout protects the installation and points to a fault that needs tracing.
Present in Brussels, in Wallonia and in Flanders
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