How to Spot a Faulty Boiler & Boiler Breakdown?
Most homeowners or renters probably don’t continually check for potential boiler issues. Most of the time, we only think about boilers during routine maintenance. But out of all the appliances in your house, you least want a boiler breakdown. Your boiler is the one that has the potential to go off explosively.
Fortunately, we typically have plenty of notice before boilers reach their alleged breaking point. You should conduct a more thorough inquiry if you observe any of the following boiler-related symptoms.
Boiler Breakdown Signs:
Your home is becoming colder, which is the clearest indication that the boiler isn’t working. Several factors could be to blame if your boiler isn’t providing any heat, including:
- Gas and electricity are off.
- The thermostat has been decreased, turned off, or set to the Cool position.
- You’ve blown a circuit or tripped a fuse.
- There is no pilot light.
- A leak has been found in the system.
- Your boiler may need some replacement parts.
Here, our easy assessment can be helpful. Contact a boiler repair expert if you’ve looked around and can’t find an obvious source for the issue.
Unusually Noisy Boiler:
Your boiler is working too hard to heat the water if it sounds like a teakettle, which experts call “kettling.” Age, mineral buildup, or sludge blocking your system are all potential causes. Better to arrange some maintenance with a professional; if you do it yourself, your boiler’s lifespan will be shortened, and your costs will increase.
Other times, you might hear thumping and knocking coming from your radiators and pipes. This may be brought on by trapped air in the system, dangling lines, or an outdated component that needs to be replaced, such as the entire boiler.
Inconsistent Heating of the Radiators
Your radiator may need to have any sludge or debris cleaned out if it is hot on top but cool at the bottom. These successfully stop the radiator’s water supply from flowing. If your radiators are ancient, you might need to spend money on fresh ones because the obstruction can occasionally not be cleaned. The good news is that a radiator flush is a quick and reasonably priced fix.
The most common cause of cold radiation is trapped air. You can manually remove the air from your radiator, but check if the water has cooled.
The boiler repeatedly turns itself off.
As a safety precaution, modern boilers are programmed to shut themselves off when they detect air in the system or inappropriate pressures. This is advantageous since it can stop or at least limit the damage of a significant boiler breakdown.
There is no Pilot Light.
A pilot light that glows with a blue flame beneath your boiler lets you know the system is operational. Your pilot light might need to be relit if it’s out. To safely relight the pilot, follow your boiler’s manual instructions.
It’s a good idea to call a professional immediately away if you cannot relight the pilot or if it keeps going out.
Slow Hot Water Pressure.
Your boiler may lose pressure if your hot water flows more slowly than usual. If your radiators have recently been bled of air, this might be the cause; in that case, it will go away in a day or two. Alternatively, it can be a symptom of a leak or improper pressure.
There’s Water Leaking From the Boiler.
Another prominent symptom of a boiler breaking down is if the floor underneath your boiler is moist. Some potential culprits are inadequate pressure, radiators that require bleeding, pipe corrosion, damaged pump seals, heat exchanger issues, and a leaky overflow pipe.
What to Do After Spotting Initial Boiler Problems:
If you think your boiler is faulty, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. First, check the boiler’s pressure gauge. If the needle is below 1, the boiler has lost pressure and needs refilling. Next, check the boiler’s burner. If the flame is yellow or orange, the boiler isn’t getting enough oxygen and will need to be serviced.
Finally, listen to strange noises coming from the boiler. If you hear banging or hissing, it could indicate that the boiler needs to be replaced. Of course, if you’re not comfortable troubleshooting the problem, it’s always best to call a professional. Boiler maintenance is vital to prevent boiler breakdown.
Regular boiler maintenance includes bleeding the radiators, checking the boiler pressure, and descaling the boiler. Following these simple steps can help keep your boiler running smoothly for years to come.
Boiler Malfunctions can be Prevented with Routine Maintenance.
Unexpected boiler repairs are never pleasant. The good news is that a quick annual maintenance check can solve many of these issues. Plan your routine boiler inspection now rather than waiting until pricey and uncomfortable symptoms of boiler breakdown start to develop in your home. You’ll sleep better as a result and spend less money as well.
