Boilers are a common heating appliance in Maine, and thanks to our heavy reliance on them and regularly low temperatures, general wear and tear can really add up. Scheduling regular boiler maintenance is essential to their long-term functioning, but even with the best care, your boiler may still require troubleshooting.
Many boiler problems require training and expertise and will be best handled by a professional, but certain problems may be a simple DIY fix.
What do you do when the boiler doesn’t turn on?
If your boiler has shut off completely in the middle of winter, you will probably notice it pretty early on. This problem can be caused by a number of issues, including tripped circuits, low water pressure, frozen condensation lines, and more.
Tripped Circuits
Problem: The circuit breaker has been tripped, or there is a blown fuse.
Solution: Reset the circuit breakers and/or replace blown fuses. If this fixes the issue, you’re in the clear! If not, you may have another issue.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can be the cause of many issues. If you see water pooling around the boiler or suspect a leak anywhere else, contact Pine State Services for repairs immediately.
Frozen Condensation Lines
Condensation pipes usually run outside the area your boiler is housed and deposit into a drain. Because the pipe runs outside, in winter, freezing temperatures can freeze the water in the line. Some boilers have a warning or code that will appear to let you know a line is frozen. You’ll need to thaw the line to fix this issue. Contact a trained professional if you feel unsure or unsafe completing this task yourself.
Why don’t I have hot water?
A lack of hot water is a massive inconvenience and waste of energy. This issue could be caused by a build-up of rust, air in your system, or a faulty pump.
Check for Air
You can easily check yourself to determine whether air in the system is causing the problem. Release the fitting at the end of the radiator — water will also flow out, so be ready. If the water drains out without stopping, you don’t have air pockets. However, if the water comes in spurts, simply leave the valve open until water is flowing continuously to resolve the issue.
If air pockets aren’t causing the issue, you may have a problem with the balance of hot water to radiators throughout your home. There could also be sludge build-up that prevents the free flow of hot water to the radiators. Contact a heating professional from Pine State Services for assistance cleaning or flushing the system to remove deposits.
My boiler is making a weird noise. What should I do?
There are many different sounds a boiler can make during its lifetime. Banging, bubbling, rumbling, or whistling pipes can indicate a build-up of limescale in your boiler. Limescale deposits block the flow of water inside the heat exchanger. When the water can’t escape, it overheats and steams, causing “kettling” — a noise that sounds like a kettle boiling.
Kettling is typically common in areas with hard water, but can also happen with soft water. Flushing your system is the best solution here. This is a task you can complete yourself, or you can request the help of a trained professional.
No matter what your boiler troubles are, at some point, you’ll need to schedule maintenance or repairs. Pine State Services has the expertise and experience to help you resolve boiler problems easily. Contact our team online or by phone at (207) 747-1210.