Maintaining Boiler Water Level Is Important to Prevent Possible Explosion
Steam boilers combine water and heat to create pressurized steam that is
easily transformed into indoor heating. This type of heating system provides
efficient energy for a variety of needs, but it also poses some safety
risks. That’s why if you ever have any visible problems with your
steam boiler, you need to call in for a repair as soon as possible.
Just like every other household appliance, there are numerous things that
can go wrong with your boiler. Some may be minor problems that can be
fixed with ease, others may require more extensive repairs. Before calling
in that repairman, though, we want you to be able to diagnose your boiler.
That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect when they come in to fix it.
Common Steam Boiler Water Heater Problems
Inefficient heating: If your boiler is taking more time to warm the home than it ever did
before, it could be because of two things – built up mineral deposits
or low water in the system. Noticing the temperature lowering gradually
means that mineral deposits from hard water might have formed in the boiler.
In that case, it will need to be flushed. If poor performance happens
all of a sudden, you should check the pressure/temperature gauge. If it
reads lower than 12psi, open up the water feed valve to let the tank fill
until the gauge reads at least 12.
Check the water level: Because steam boilers have small glass windows on them, it’s easy
to check the water level. With each heating cycle, the boiler will lose
some of its water. But, if it gets too low or runs out of water completely,
no steam can be produced to heat your home.
Leaks around the boiler: The severity of this problem depends on where the leak is. If it’s
coming from a pipe, follow it to the joint where the leak originates and
tighten it. They may need to be replaced if that doesn’t stop the
problem. A leak may also occur if the system expansion tank is overfilled
with water and needs to be drained. It could also be clogged or damaged.
Flush the water cut-off valve: This valve is in place to save your boiler from exploding. It senses
when water levels are dangerously low and turns off the burner beneath
the boiler. For them to remain in proper working condition, they have
to be flushed weekly.
Listen for water blockage: You will hear a loud banging sound coming from the radiator as it turns
on. This occurs when water can no longer drain from the radiator back
into the boiler when it condenses. Instead, water builds up in the pipe
and blocks the hot steam from reaching the radiator. Because this normally
happens when a house settles and shifts piping, you may need some major
plumbing work done to fix it.
No matter the problem, Arco Comfort Air will fix it for you. Call us today!
