Signs of a Boiler in Distress

Monday, January 6th, 2020

top-of-boiler-with-regulating-valveNobody wants to be without effective heating this time of the year—especially when you live somewhere as cold as where we are. But this is what can happen if you let a heater in disrepair go too long without being serviced.

At worst, you could find yourself facing a complete system breakdown, leaving you scrambling for repairs in the middle of winter. Even in the best-case scenario, a struggling heater can threaten energy efficiency, leaving you paying far more for comfort than you should have to. If you’re using a boiler for your heating needs, there are, fortunately, some signs you can watch out for that the system is in disrepair. These signs include:

You Have Radiators or Baseboards Going Cold

Have you noticed that one of the rooms in your home isn’t warming up as it should? Test to see if the radiator or baseboard heater in that room is actually heating up. If it’s not, then there is something that is preventing the hot water from the boiler reaching it. This can be due to an issue with the manifold and will require professional inspection and repair.

You Notice Uneven Heating in General

Perhaps none of the radiators have gone cold, but you notice some rooms are warmer than others. This might be a problem with the circulator pump within the boiler. In more severe situations, it could be due to leaks. No matter the cause, if you notice this issue with your boiler, it’s best to act quickly!

You Hear Rumbling Sounds from the Boiler Tank

A rumbling boiler can certainly sound scary—is it about to explode?! That’s very unlikely, actually—but the rumbling shouldn’t be ignored. It may mean that the boiler is overheating, and there are a number of reasons this might occur. Shut off your boiler and call for repairs right away if you notice this symptom.

Your Heating Bills Have Spiked

Gas boilers are very popular for homeowners today, due to the affordability of natural gas. That said, if your gas bill spikes higher than it did this same time last year, or much higher than what your neighbors are paying, then it’s a sign that your boiler isn’t working as efficiently as it once did, and may need a repair—perhaps even a replacement. Our team can help you make an educated decision about the matter.

You See Leaks

Leaks are never something you should see coming from the boiler tank or any of the connection points on the boiler. At the first sign of water pooling around the base of your boiler, please shut your system off right away and give our pros a call.

Corrosion

Boilers are designed in such a way that they don’t allow corrosion to break down their components. However, in an aging boiler, it can eventually happen. Corrosion typically begins on the heat exchanger—the good news is, this component can be replaced! This is one of the reasons that annual maintenance is so vital for your boiler—because once corrosion sets into the rest of your boiler, your only option will be a replacement.

Contact us for all your Homer Glen, IL HVAC needs. Comfort First Heating and Cooling, Inc., where we put your comfort first!

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