Leaking Boiler
A leaking boiler is not only annoying, it can also be a sign that you will need bigger boiler repair. While a small puddle of water may not initially look like a big problem, leaks can actually indicate that there is a bigger problem inside your boiler, such as a broken valve or seal inside. When a leak is not fixed right away, it can cause corrosion, rust, short circuits, or boiler explosion. This is actually one of the most common boiler problems homeowners experience, and should be fixed right away by a gas safe registered engineer. The first step here is to determine the cause of your leaking boiler. Remember that you must never try to do complex repairs yourself unless you are trained and certified. Here are some of the common causes of a leaking boiler: Boiler pressure – If you see a puddle of water right below you boiler everyday, this can be a sign that there is a need to reduce the pressure inside the tank. Check the pressure gauge to make sure the pressure is set correctly. (more on how to repressurize a boiler) Boiler seals – Damaged boiler seals will allow water to escape, while the boiler pump could be pushing water out of the seals. Check the sides and the bottom of the boiler tank to find out if the seals are broken. If they are, they will need to be replaced. Cracks – As your boiler gets older, the body may eventually develop stress fatigues and damages. Changes in temperature will expand and contract the metal, leading to cracks. Repairing this...How to Prevent Boiler Explosion
Learn how you can prevent boiler explosion here. Boiler explosion is defined as the “catastrophic failure” of a boiler. Generally, there are two kinds of boiler explosions: the failure of the pressure of steam and water sides and a furnace’s fuel or air explosion. There are typically three things that can cause a boiler explosion: weak shell or other boiler parts over pressure over heating In short, the boiler is either not strong enough to withstand the pressure that it is expected to take, or the pressure is too high. Fire explosions is used to refer to the fuel or air explosion of a furnace. Here, the explosion usually happens after a burner flameout. Build up of oil fumes or fuel such as natural gas, coal or propane in the combustion chamber can cause an explosion. Fuel explosion inside the firebox can result to damage in the boiler tubes and interior shell. This can in turn cause the boiler’s failure, or a boiler leak. Other causes of boiler explosion are a faulty pressure relief valve boiler plate corrosion low water levels How to prevent boiler explosion Making sure that your boiler has the correct settings can help prevent boiler explosion. The pressure relief valve is of the right size to take off excess pressure before it gets too high to cause an explosion. It is important to set the pressure of the pressure relief valve correctly typically at a lower level than the boiler’s pressure specification. Another way to prevent boiler explosion is regular and proper maintenance. A regular annual boiler service conducted by a gas safe...How to Thaw a Frozen Condensate Pipe
Knowing how to thaw a frozen condensate pipe can save you a few bucks and a visit from your boiler engineer. Your boiler’s condensate pipe carries the condensation or moisture from the boiler to the outside of your home. The pipe is typically made of plastic that is white or gray in color. It usually runs from your boiler and out through your external wall, emitting the condensation outside. A frozen condensate pipe is a common problem during winter. Because the pipe runs outside your home, it risks getting frozen even if its insulated. The exposed parts of the pipe can freeze easily if exposed to extreme weather conditions. When the pipe freezes, it will cause blockage to the boiler, as the moisture is not emitted. In turn, your boiler may shut down and you might experience no heat or hot water. For most models, an error code or an indication warning light may appear on the control panel. How to thaw a frozen condensate pipe Here are some tips on how to thaw a frozen condensate pipe: Start by locating the frozen part or parts of the pipe. This will most likely occur in areas that the pipe is exposed to the weather. Try running your hand over the pipe and feel the temperature. If a part feels colder than the rest of the pipe, chances are, that part is frozen. Thaw the pipe carefully. Pour warm water over the frozen part of the pipe using a water jug or bottle. You can also use a hot water bottle or a heat pack to do this. Repeat the...How to Repressurize a Boiler
Do you know how to repressurize a boiler? One of the most common causes of broken boilers is loss of water pressure. Low water pressure can be caused by several different things such as a leaking boiler. It is also possible to lose pressure when you bleed the radiators. Low water pressure is easy to diagnose. Most modern boiler models feature a built- in pressure gauge that will show the boiler pressure. Before you start the steps to repressurize a boiler, first make sure that it indeed needs to be pressurized by checking the pressure gauge. This is usually found in front of the boiler. Generally, the ideal water pressure should be between 1 and 2 bars. Some models will show a red bar where the water pressure was initially set. If the water pressure is incorrect, you may be able to repressurize a boiler by yourself. Knowing how to increase boiler pressure properly can save you a visit from your local engineer. How to repressurize a boiler Before starting, make sure the boiler is turned off and has cooled down. Always read the manufacturer’s manual before repressurizing a boiler. If the pressure is too low, you will need to top up your system. Locate the filling loop – a flexible hose that is usually silver or grey, with a small valve on each end and usually located at the bottom of the boiler. Make sure both ends are attached securely to both valves. Open both valves either using your hands (if you can) or a flat headed screw driver. When the repressurizing begins, you will hear the water filling the system. Watch...Boiler Troubleshooting Checklist
Our boiler troubleshooting checklist is a useful tool in case you find yourself with a broken boiler. A residential heating system is a complex appliance. Your gas boiler is no exception. A boiler uses hot water or steam to heat the home, thus there is an additional component – water – in the process. Your gas boiler is a machine, hence, expect that it will break down at some point. There are a number of things that can cause the most common boiler problems. While it is always best to get a professional to do a boiler repair, some boiler problems are very basic that you can fix it yourself. More complicated issues will need more expertise, but you’d be surprised how well you can troubleshoot a gas boiler by yourself. Here’s our boiler troubleshooting checklist to help you. Try these tips first, and you may not need to call a gas safe registered engineer. Make sure that the following are turned on: gas supply, electrical supply, water supply. You’d be surprised at how many times our engineers had to go out and visit a customer and it turns out the water supply was accidentally turned off. Check the thermostat and the timer and make sure that they are both on. Check the pressure gauge. The water pressure ideally needs to be at around 1 bar. Read more about what to do if the boiler keeps losing pressure. If your system has a permanent pilot light, check to see that it has not gone out. Know more about what to do if the pilot light keeps turning off. Try turning...
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