Some Boiler Problems And Solutions To Fix Them

You want to continue to inform yourself as much as possible by learning about some of the common issues you might face with your boiler. Boiler problems can get troublesome. Find out here what is the best boiler cover to keep your boiler running.

Here are some of the top 10 boiler problems you may find yourself faced with occasionally.

1. A Lack Of Hot Water

One of the problems you might deal with is a lack of hot water. This is an issue that could have a variety of causes. It could be caused by a malfunctioning valve, thermostat, or even a broken diaphragm. Typically, you want to start by looking at the thermostat. This is usually the reason for a malfunctioning boiler. However, if the thermostat isn’t broken, but there is another part that is either broken or malfunctioning, you can remedy it by replacing it. This should get your boiler functioning properly once again.

2. A Water Leak

If you have a non-working boiler and you have a leak, you could potentially be dealing with a range of causes. To figure out what’s causing it, you want to try to identify where the leak is located. You need to figure out where the leak is stemming from because it can typically give you insight into the root cause. Typically, a leak occurs when there is an internal component of the boiler that is broken or cracked. This could be something like your pump seal or even a pressure valve. If there is a leak resulting because of a broken pressure valve, it was likely caused by the pressure being cranked up too high. If the pump seal is broken, it will need to be replaced.

You will find that sometimes a boiler could be leaking from the pipes or tanks. If this is the case, it’s likely the direct result of either poor fitting or corrosion.

3. Lower Boiler Pressure

Your boiler will begin to lose pressure for various reasons. You want to figure out why your boiler is not getting the right pressure. This could be caused by a water leak, a bleeding radiator, or even a broken valve. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to figure out your boiler pressure. To do so, you need to look at the built-in gauge. This will give you plenty of information that you can use to diagnose the issue. If the needle is showing a pressure below 1, it means that you have low pressure. This is likely why your central heating system isn’t working properly.

You’ll want to check the boiler itself to identify any leaks. If you do find a leak, you’ll want to call a registered engineer in your area. If not, you can reset the pressure. You’ll want to dig into your boiler’s manual to ensure you do it properly.

4. Your Boiler Is Cutting Out

If your boiler is powering up perfectly but it’s tripping and cutting out, you likely have low pressure. This is typically the result of having low pressure. Because of this, when you experience your boiler cutting out, you’ll want to keep an eye on the pressure gauge. If the needle is below 1, try to re-pressure the boiler.

If there are no signs of low pressure, the air is likely getting trapped which can be easily remedied by bleeding out the radiator.

5. Loud Noises

You will find that every boiler will produce a low humming noise. Unfortunately, if your boiler is making loud noises, it’s likely malfunctioning. This is especially true if the noise is strange and something abnormal. It could indicate a serious issue that needs addressing.

If you hear a whistling sound, there is likely air trapped within the boiler itself or the pipes. To address this, you’ll want to bleed out the radiators. If there is a gurgling sound, you likely have a frozen pipe that’s causing an issue. A frozen pipe would disrupt the water flow. If so, you’ll need to call on a professional for assistance. They will need to identify where the frozen pipe is and fix the problem.

6. No Pilot Light

There is a pilot light on the boiler. This is a small blue flame that effectively keeps the burner lit. If you notice that this light keeps going out, the boiler isn’t going to work properly. This typically occurs when the thermocouple is malfunctioning or broken. What happens is the gas supply is disrupted by it.

Whenever you want to fix this and reignite the light, you’ll want to check the gas supply for any problems. If the gas stop-clock is on but the boiler isn’t receiving the gas it needs, you need to call on a professional for help. Another thing you could do is reignite the pilot light on your own by using the manual for guidance.

7. Frozen Condensate Pipes

Every boiler has a condensate pipe. The pipe effectively transports the acidic water that is produced as a result of the waste gas. It transports it out of the boiler itself. Typically, the pipe is run outside into the drain. A problem that can crop us is this pipe getting frozen during the winter months.

If the pipe does get frozen, your boiler will typically display an error code or a warning light. The condensate pipe is a plastic pipe that should be led out of the house into the drain.

To address this issue, you will want to try to place a hot water bottle and a warm heating pack on the pipe. This can help to thaw the pipe out. Another thing you can do is pour warm water on it. Once the pipe is unfrozen, you’ll want to reset the boiler so it fires once more. This is a problem you can address on your own. However, it’s always a good idea to call a professional engineer if you don’t feel safe doing it on your own.