What a Boiler Leak Means
A boiler leak is quite a common problem homeowners encounter. It is not only inconvenient, it could also be a sign of a bigger problem in your boiler. A boiler leaking water can be a symptom of a much bigger and more complicated problem. This can depend on the type of boiler and how old it is. It may be a huge problem for one type, but not a concern at all for another. Examine your leaking boiler and see how much water there is. A boiler leak could be a sign of the following: Boiler Pressure Problems – Your boiler has a special pressure outlet pipe located on the side of the boiler. This allows pressure from inside the boiler to escape, and without it, your boiler will explode or collapse. But because it has no fittings, it may occasionally drip water. However, if there are puddles of water directly below the boiler everyday, it could be a sign that the boiler pressure is too high. Learn how to repressurize a boiler. Boiler Seal Damage – Boiler leak can also be caused by damage on the boiler seals. Damages can allow water to escape, while the boiler pump could be pushing water out through the seals. The best thing to do here is to replace both the boiler seal and pump. Check the sides and bottom of the pump and make sure that the leak is coming from the seal. Cracks in the Body – Overtime, your boiler’s body can show signs of wear and tear. The metal will eventually develop cracks and damages. The repeated cooling and warming of the...How The Pilot Light Works
Have you ever noticed the blue flame in your boiler – that is the pilot light. The pilot light is a small gas flame that ignites a more powerful gas burner. Typically, that flame lights continuously. Today, only older boiler models, those that use natural gas, or fireplaces that use gas logs, have pilot lights. Other gas appliances that use pilot lights are furnaces, water heaters, hobs and gas ovens. How does the pilot light work? Pilot lights are basically valves that provide the flame needed to light the gas that comes out of the main burner. A small amount of lighted, continuously burning gas passes through it. When the boiler is turned on, another valve releases gas into the burner and the pilot light ignites that gas. Identifying pilot lights If you are not sure whether your boiler operates using one, look at the power switch of your boiler. There is likely a “pilot” position for the switch if the appliance uses a pilot light. You can also check the panel where the gas burner is. When you open the panel, you should see the small blue flame visibly. Pros and Cons of Using Pilot Lights Pilot lights do not require electricity to operate, so most appliances that use pilot lights will operate during a power outage. Because pilot lights are always burning, they offer instant ignition to the main burner. One of the downsides of using pilot lights is the waste of gas. In the US, 20% of gas used annually is for pilot lights alone. Safety In the event the the pilot light goes out, there is...Water Gurgling in Boiler
Do you hear the sound of water gurgling from your boiler? This is a clear sign that there is air trapped in the system. Air in the system, in turn, can cause more problems. Heat will have a more difficult time traveling to certain areas in your home, or, if bad luck really strikes, your boiler may not even start. Check your boiler and identify what is causing the water gurgling noise. This noise is made by a mixture of water and air in the system, where water should be the only one present. Another cause of water gurgling is a frozen condensate pipe. Cold weather can cause the pipes or traps to freeze, stopping water from circulating properly. Test your theory before creating a solution, to remove the guessing part and make sure you are doing the right thing. First, find the highest radiator in your system and touch in. If there is air trapped in the system, the highest radiator will feel colder than the other radiators. If you conclude that there is air in the system, you can easily resolve this by bleeding the radiators. This will release trapped air and get the water running smoothly again inside the system. Make sure you take the necessary precautions and that you know how to bleed a radiator properly before starting work. If you suspect that your condensate pipe had froze over the cold weather, find the spot that is frozen by feeling the pipe with your hands. You can thaw the frozen condensate pipe to get it working again. Remember to take the following safety precautions when providing solution for water...Thermostat Calibration
Thermostat calibration is done for every thermostat by the manufacturer. This ensures that each and every one of them is working properly before they are sold at the stores. Over time, thermostats can lose calibration and this can affect the temperature and performance of your boiler or central heating system. Loss of thermostat calibration can be caused by different factors. Some examples are accidental bumping or dent to the unit, or even build up of dirt. As a result, the thermostat will not provide accurate temperature for a room. For example, temperature setting at 70 degrees may either heat only at 67 degrees or too hot at 73 degrees. This not only affects the level of comfort in your home, but the inefficiency will also affect your energy use. You can do a thermostat calibration yourself. However, it is important to remember that thermostat models and brands vary so it is important to read and follow the instructions on your manufacturer’s manual. Here are some easy tips to follow when doing thermostat calibration. You will need the following: glass tube thermometer tape paper towel soft brush level screwdriver Step 1: Tape the thermometer on the wall next to the thermostat, placing a few inches of distance in between. Use the paper towel to cushion the thermometer so that it doesn’t touch the wall. Make sure that no outside elements are affecting both the thermometer and the thermostat. Step 2: Allow 15 minutes for the mercury to stabilize. Compare the temperature reading from the thermostat to that of the thermometer. Step 3: If the variance is more than one degree,...Radiator Cold Spots
Radiator cold spots are one of the most common boiler problems. If not taken care of right away, they can stop your boiler from working. However, radiator cold spots do not always need a professional to get detected and fixed. Radiator cold spots are caused by… If the cold spot is at the top of the radiator, it is likely caused by air that entered the system or hydrogen in the system from a corrosion. This will likely require frequent venting. Cold spots that are located in the middle or the bottom of the radiator usually come from magentite build up, a black sludge that is iron oxode formed from the corrosion of electrolytes. If the spots are found all over the system, there is probably bacterial contamination. There are several ways to resolve this issue. Bottom radiator cold spots that are caused by rust can be reduced by doing continued maintenance. You can do this by keeping the radiators vented and by using special chemicals on the central heating system. You can also install a Magnaclean to remove rust continuously. A professional engineer with clean the Magnaclean during your annual boiler service. Another solution is power flushing. This is done by using very strong chemicals and adding them to the system. The radiators are then vibrated to loosen the rust. Power flushing is done to each radiator to remove the worst rust. However, if the system is in really bad shape and has been in that state for years, this will not clear all of the radiator cold spots. Take note that doing these – especially a power...
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