When your boiler breaks down, it can leave you without hot water and heat. Fortunately, there are a few warning signs you can look for that tell you that you need boiler repair. A common sign is that your heating bills are higher than usual, especially if your home has a fuel meter. It is due to a malfunction that’s making your boiler use more energy than it should, so call for professional help right away!
Loud Noises
Boilers can make a wide range of strange noises, and it is important to listen closely to these sounds to identify any problems with your system. Banging and popping noises from your boiler are most likely the result of a mineral buildup on your unit’s heat exchanger. It can shorten the lifespan of your boiler and cause it to work inefficiently. Gurgling noises in the pipes are another potential issue, especially if you have a low water pressure or a frozen condensate pipe. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may need to schedule a professional boiler repair Mckeesport PA service to release trapped air and locate the source of the issue. Your circulating pump may operate at a too high speed for your system if you hear a loud buzzing sound. It is a simple fix, but you will need to decrease the rate of the system before it stops making the humming noise.
Lack of Heat and Hot Water
A sudden lack of heat indicates that you need a boiler repair. It can mean several issues, including a broken heating element, a damaged heat exchanger, etc. Another common indication that your boiler needs repair is that you’re experiencing a lack of hot water. It can be a sign that the tank on your boiler is old or leaking, which can cause serious water damage. It’s crucial to remember that this is not normal and needs to be checked out right away. Even a small leak can lead to mold and other water damage, which you should avoid at all costs. Boilers use various techniques to heat your home, but the most common is gas. This technique uses a pilot light to ignite gas and oxygen, which then burns to produce heat.
Water Around the Boiler
If you’ve noticed that the water around your boiler is dripping, then you need to get your boiler checked out. It could be a small issue that you can fix yourself, or it might be a sign that it needs serious boiler repair by a Gas Safe engineer. Boilers are designed to hold a constant temperature of the water to work efficiently, but over time the water can build up inside them and cause leaks. Several causes include rusted pipes, broken heat exchangers, and loose couplings. The temperature control valve in your boiler keeps an eye on the water’s temperature and ensures it doesn’t get too hot. If it starts to leak, this will cause the temperature of the water in the boiler to increase and potentially result in burning hot water coming out of your taps. The leaking water will also cause corrosion, damaging your boiler and other parts of your home. It can be dangerous and requires a qualified engineer’s help to fix it.
The Pilot Light Doesn’t Stay Lit
If the pilot light on your boiler doesn’t stay lit, it could indicate that you need a professional gas-safe engineer to come out and look. It is often a sign that the pilot tube has become clogged with debris, which prevents gas from flowing to the flame. Another possible reason is that the thermocouple, which detects when the pilot light is lit and triggers an automatic shutoff to shut off the gas valve, has been damaged or doesn’t work properly. If your boiler has a thermocouple, this is an important safety feature that makes sure the flame stays lit so that gas doesn’t continue to flow into the unit even if the pilot light goes out. The thermocouple uses a special temperature sensor that gets warm when the pilot flame is lit.
