It’s the time of year when it’s absolutely critical to make sure your heating system is in good enough shape to keep you warm for the winter. If there are any problems, they need to be addressed now, so you don’t end up with a major heating failure in the dead of winter. And if your heating system is a boiler, that means making sure any leaks are repaired.
How a Boiler Works
A boiler contains a lot of water, and while it’s running, it is doing two jobs: first, keeping that water hot, and second, circulating it throughout your house to the terminal points, which may be radiators, registers along your baseboards, or pipes in your floors if you have radiant heating. Doing these jobs requires maintaining a consistent water pressure as well as a consistent temperature.
Pressure Release Puddles
The first thing to be aware of when you spot a puddle is the location. Your boiler has a pressure release valve, which it uses to regulate the pressure which is such an important part of how it works. It is absolutely normal for your boiler’s pressure release valve to drip a little. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, consult your owner’s manual, or reach out to us with your questions.
If your pressure release valve is not just dripping a small amount, but is in fact causing a significant puddle, it could be that the pressure is consistently getting too high in your boiler. An adjustment from a professional in boiler repair in Joliet, IL could resolve the issue and prevent future puddles.
Loose Connections
If your puddle is caused by leakage at a connection point or joint, where pipes connect to each other or to the boiler, you’re looking at a loose connection. Sometimes this happens naturally over time because the constant heating and cooling of these components cause them to expand and contract. Sometimes it’s caused by being improperly installed or poorly repaired, which is a reminder of the importance of having all installation, maintenance, and repair on your boiler done by licensed, trained professionals. Either way, it’s time to get a technician in to tighten connections or re-do failed repairs.
Corrosion and Cracking
The third thing that can cause your boiler to be sitting in a puddle is when the tank itself develops cracks or begins to corrode. Something to keep in mind is that if corrosion is visible on your boiler’s tank, other less-visible areas of the system are almost definitely corroding as well. In this case, the boiler is probably past the point of being repairable and will need to be replaced.
For Your Safety
These issues can pose safety hazards if left unaddressed. If your boiler is leaking, and it’s not just a small amount from the pressure release valve, you should turn it off to avoid worsening the problem, and reach out right away for repairs. A skilled, licensed professional can help you determine the exact cause of the problem and provide you with options for how to resolve it.
Call J&A today, Sleep-tight tonight!