Boilers are a great, efficient method for heating your home during the cold winter months. However, just like any other system in your home, your boiler can experience issues from time to time. We’re going to go over some of the most common issues that you may experience and what you should do about them.
1. Weird Noises
One of the most notable problems that homeowners have with their boilers is that they’re making weird noises. The tone of the noise can vary widely depending on the specific issue that you’re dealing with. Some of the most notable noises include banging, knocking, vibrating, whistling, kettling, and gurgling. The specific tone will give you some insight into where the problem is with your heating system.
For example, a knocking noise could simply mean that your heat pipe isn’t properly affixed to your floorboard or joist. A gurgling noise could mean that there’s too much water in your lines. A kettling sound can mean there’s a buildup of hard water deposits blocking the flow of water in your system. It’s best to have one of our technicians evaluate the noise to determine the root cause of it and repair it swiftly.
2. Leaking
Another common problem that you may run into with your household boiler is that it’s leaking water. It’s important to look at where the water is coming from right away. If the water is coming out of one of the drain or bleeder valves, then it’s likely the valve is going to need to be replaced by a professional.
However, if the leak seems to be coming from the boiler tank itself, it could indicate that the boiler needs to be replaced. In this event, it’s important to shut off the water supply to your boiler and shut your boiler off until one of our professional HVAC technicians can evaluate it further.
3. Low Pressure Level
All boilers are going to have a built-in pressure gauge that will help you understand how much pressure is inside of the system. The pressure level always needs to be in the optimal range for your system to function correctly. If the pressure drops too low, your system won’t be able to function properly. The reason that the pressure could drop may be due to a water leak or a faulty pressure relief valve. You’ll want to have one of our HVAC technicians assess the issue promptly to get your system back to working like normal.
4. Partially Heated Radiators
One particularly frustrating issue you may run into is concerning your radiators. You may notice that some of the radiators in your home aren’t getting hot or that only the bottom section seems to be heating up. There are numerous reasons that this could be happening, such as too much sludge buildup inside of your system. In some cases bleeding the radiator can help to solve the issue. In other cases, you may need a professional to further assess the root cause of the problem.
5. Keeps Turning Off
One annoying issue you could run into with your boiler is that it keeps switching off. In many cases, the system will do this as a built-in safety mechanism because there’s an issue. The problem may be low water pressure, a lack of water flow, a problem with the circulation pump, or even an issue with the thermostat. It’s typically best to have one of our knowledgeable HVAC technicians evaluate all the aspects of your boiler system to determine where the problem lies.
A Note on Professional Maintenance Service
One of the best ways to help prevent a lot of these issues with your boiler is to simply schedule annual maintenance services. By calling one of our heating services professionals in the fall to come out and service your system, you can ensure it gets the care it needs to function optimally throughout the winter season. This service is great for maintaining the warranty coverage on your boiler system. In addition, our technicians will let you know about any potential problems while the problems are small and easy to fix.
Helpful Boiler Repair Service
IBBOTSON Heating & Air Conditioning Co. offers helpful boiler repair services for the Arlington Heights, IL community. We can also help with all your heating, air conditioning, water heater, and indoor air quality needs. Simply call us today to book your next service consultation with one of our trustworthy HVAC technicians.
