7 Common Boiler Problems Homeowners Encounter
Did you know that your boiler can reach energy efficiencies of up to 95%? Well, most of the homeowners have different types of boilers with varying efficiencies.
Your home boiler system is not only supposed to keep your home warm, but it should also lower your energy expenses.
Boiler inefficiency is not the only problem. There are other boiler problems that you can encounter. Understanding these following seven problems will make it easier for you to keep your heating and cooling system in the best condition possible.
1. Leaking and Dripping
Your boiler is not supposed to continuously leak water. Any water leaking from your boiler is a sign of a significant problem. A variety of issues could lead to leakage.
Pressure valves and pump seals could be the main reason for boiler leaks. If the leak is coming from the pressure valve, you need to reduce your boiler’s pressure. If dripping is originating from the pump seal, you need to replace it with a new one.
Sometimes leaking can be caused by other problems such as corrosion or improper fitting of pipes.
In any case, it is good to work with a plumbing expert to fix the problem. Avoid DIY repair, as this could push your boiler repair cost to unhealthy levels.
2. No Heat or Hot Water
You don’t give it much thought, but your boiler could drastically fail to give out heat. A boiler that is not giving out hot water is not serving its purpose. In such a scenario, your boiler is broken and needs repairing.
Some of the potential causes of no heat from your boiler include low water levels, issues with the thermostat, and failure of motorized valves. Start by checking your thermostat before analyzing any other problem.
A broken diaphragm, valve, or airlock will need to be replaced. Before replacing any broken part, you need to consult a plumber to ascertain the best replacement part.
3. Frozen Condensate Pipes
Every modern boiler should have a condensate pipe. It plays an essential role in transporting acidic wastewater out of the boiler. In most cases, the condensate pipe runs outside into the drain.
With the pipe running outside, there is no doubt that it will be frozen during winter. A properly functioning boiler should give you a warning notification. Since this is a plastic pipe, you can quickly fix the problem by draining hot water through the drain.
After the snow melts, you need to restart the boiler. Many people prefer to fix this problem by themselves to reduce boiler repair prices. However, if you feel not sure, it is always good to call a heating engineer.
4. Unusual Boiler Noise
It’s typical for any working boiler to produce a low hum. However, any abnormally loud sound means there is something wrong with your unit. If left to continue, such noises could get much louder and uncomfortable.
Whistling noises are prevalent in broken boilers. Such noises are brought by trapped air in the boiler or boiler pipes. Bleeding the radiators of your boiler helps in eliminating whistling noises.
Another common sound you will get from your broken boiler is gurgling. If you get some gurgles, you should know that there is a frozen pipe that disrupts the flow of water.
Locating the frozen pipe is not a simple task. Getting your boiler repaired by a technician can help solve this problem quickly.
5. Lower Boiler Pressure
At any given time, your boiler should maintain maximum pressure. That is one of the physical mechanisms that help your boiler to work. Without optimum pressure, there will be some problems with your heating system.
Leaking is the primary cause of low boiler pressure. Other major causes of lower boiler pressure are bleeding radiators and a broken valve.
You can easily eliminate this problem by having a look at the built-in pressure gauge. Anything below one means that your settings are too low and should be adjusted accordingly. It could explain why your central heating system is not working.
It is straightforward to adjust the boiler pressure. However, for leaks, it is always advisable to call a registered plumber for sealing.
6. Thermostat Issues
The thermostat controls the heating in your boiler. It is supposed to turn on or off your heating system. However, when it loses accuracy, your boiler will not function as expected.
Before calling for repairs, it is necessary to check the obvious issues. Make sure your thermostat is on. Also, correct the time and schedule for your system to work as you expect.
Warmer homes have more thermostat issues. Your thermostat is not turning the boiler on. In such scenarios, you need to set your thermostat to a higher temperature.
If none of the issues discussed above applies, your thermostat is broken. To fix such a problem, you need to replace it with a new one.
7. Radiators Not Heating Up
It is common for boilers to stop heating up. Sometimes you will only find that it is the bottom of the radiator that is heating. This is usually caused by air in the system or a built-up of sludge.
If this regularly happens, your radiator needs bleeding. Bleeding your radiator is relatively easy, which means you don’t need any assistance.
You might also come across some radiators that are heating while others are not. In such cases, you need to adjust the valves on all radiators to balance out. This will help each radiator to get enough hot water.
Are You Experiencing Regular Boiler Problems?
One of the boiler problems discussed above could be the main reason why your system is not heating. As described above, some of the issues can quickly be solved through simple adjustments. However, if you come across anything that you don’t understand, it is good to contact a reputed plumber.
Is this article informative? You can read other informative articles on our website.