Three Things to Check to Determine if Your Boiler Is Leaking

When your boiler is leaking, it can feel like cause for panic. Luckily, there are a few things you can check before you take the plunge and get a new one.

Typically, boilers last about 20 years when you keep up with your regular boiler maintenance. Once a year, have a professional come out and check the system to make sure it’s still functioning. You might find that your boiler just needs a few small adjustments to ensure that it operates properly.

Here’s an overview of what you need to check before you get a new boiler:

• Body or seal damage: Your boiler repeatedly expands and contracts due to temperature differences. Over time, this can lead to cracks in the body and seals that cause leaks. The older your home and boiler, the more likely that this is the problem. If the body cracks, you’ll probably need to replace it. If, however, the rubber seals are the problem, that’s better news. Rubber seals can harden and crack over time. (If your boiler is relatively new and you suspect that damaged seals are to blame, it might be running overpressure. Be sure to call a professional for help as soon as possible.)
• Loose joints: Expansion and contraction can also affect the joints. Joints can start to loosen and leak water, which might be the source of your problems—even newer boilers can suffer this problem. To solve this problem, check all the fittings. Cover every pipe and tube that comes from the boiler body. Dry them, and wait to see if the water reappears. If so, you can try giving the pipework a quarter turn to fix the issue. Otherwise, call a professional. They’ll check all the joints and make sure they’re properly tightened.
• Pressure problems: Finally, your boiler may be suffering from pressure problems. Boilers use an outlet pipe to release extra pressure, but it doesn’t have sealed fittings; therefore, water can come out of the pipe. If it’s just a small amount of water, that’s not a cause for alarm. If there’s a lot of water, however, your boiler may be under too much pressure. Check the gauge needle. If it’s green, it’s fine. If it’s in the red, you need to call a professional to safely bleed the boiler pressure.

While these are the three most likely causes of a leaking boiler, there are some other issues that can crop up. Corroded heat exchangers are cause for purchasing an entirely new boiler, while damaged blowdown valves simply need to be replaced. Sometimes sediment gets trapped in the pressure valve, which is an easy fix for a professional. Finally, you might have trouble with the auto-air vent; if the valve sticks, you might need help fixing the valve.

Whatever the cause of your leaking boiler may be, the team at BLM Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment for repair, maintenance or new boiler installation services.

Categorised in: Heating Service

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