Boiler Problems and What to Do About Them

Before calling your Woodbury heating company for boiler repair or service, make sure to check a few things first. Below are the most common boiler problems and some tips:

No Heat or Water

Broken airlocks, faulty motorized valves, or low water levels are some of the main causes of no heat or warm water even when the boiler is turned on. For safety issues, it is recommended to have a qualified technician inspect your system to identify the causes of no heat and make the necessary adjustments or repairs.

Leaking and Dripping

There could be a number of reasons that cause your boiler to leak water. A leak in the system is the most common reason for your boiler to lose pressure.

You should never try to fix a leaking gas boiler yourself as it is extremely dangerous. Call your heating company for proper handling of this issue.

The most common cause is a broken internal part, such as a pump seal or pressure valve. If the leak is coming from the pump seal, it may have been damaged and needs to be replaced. If it’s coming from the pressure valve, it may be due to the boiler pressure being too high.

In some cases, leaking can be found around the tank or pipes. This is usually caused by corrosion or improper fitting of the system. A professional technician will be able to diagnose and fix the issue for you.

Thermostat Issues

Older thermostats tend to become less accurate, misreading temperatures and turning the heating on/off unnecessarily. If this is your scenario, it might be time to invest in a new one.

However, if you have a thermostat that’s not that old, ensure that it’s in the ON position and that it is set to the proper settings like time and schedule.

Kettling

If you hear a strange rumbling noise like when a kettle is boiling, it could be due to limescale building up on your boiler’s heat exchanger. When these deposits accumulate in your boiler, they can block the flow of water within the heat exchanger. This can overheat the water, causing it to steam and boil.

This issue is common in areas with hard water but can also affect boilers in soft water areas. Besides causing your boiler to overwork and increase its operational cost, it can also shorten the system’s life.

The best way to deal with kettling is through the help of a qualified technician who will remove the accumulated limescale deposits and ensure your boiler will operate properly again.

Radiators Not Getting Hot

If the bottom part of your boiler’s radiator is heating up and the other parts are not, this could mean a number of causes but the most common ones are:

• sludge or air buildup in the system
• unequal heat distribution
• a faulty radiator

If the radiator is cold at the top, you will need to bleed the radiator to expel any air from the system. To do this, you will need a radiator bleed key and insert it into the square bleed screw and slowly turn it counterclockwise, by no more than two turns.

You will hear a hissing noise and when it stops, you will see a small amount of water coming out of the bleed screw. When done, tighten the bleed screw again, making sure you do not over-tighten it. Repeat the process for all the radiators in your boiler system.

Heating Service in Woodbury & Cottage Grove

These are only some of the most common boiler problems, all of which can be avoided by regular maintenance of your system.

A trusted, professional heating company such as Rumpca Services can help you identify possible boiler problems before they become more serious situations that can cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in repairs.

We have been providing heating service in Cottage Grove and Woodbury, as well as the surrounding areas, for the past 25 years.

Our technicians are highly-trained and experienced on all boiler systems and can install, maintain and repair all brands of heating equipment. Call Rumpca Services for all your heating, air conditioning and indoor air quality needs.