FAIdeal
Ideal FA: flow and return pipes are reversed
Checked against Ideal's own documentation: Ideal Heating: boiler faults FAQs. Last reviewed October 2026. How we check
Engineer only
Ideal's boiler faults FAQ describes FA as: flow and return pipes are reversed.
What you can safely do
There is nothing you can safely do yourself with this one. Leave the boiler off and book an engineer.
Before you book an engineer
- Write down the code exactly as the display shows it: FA.
- Find your boiler's model name. It is usually on the front panel or in the user manual. The table below shows why it matters: Ideal codes can mean different things on different models.
- Note when it started and what the boiler was doing (heating, hot water, or starting up).
- If the boiler is still under warranty, check your warranty paperwork before you book anyone.
Call a Gas Safe engineer if
- Book a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Find a Gas Safe engineer near you
Opens the official Gas Safe Register search.
Applies to Ideal boilers (Ideal's boiler faults FAQ). Codes can differ between models, so check your manual.