Category: Boilers

Boilers in Calgary are an excellent, energy-efficient way to heat your home, but if you notice water leaking, your utility bill shouldn’t be your only worry. If you’ve recently headed into your basement and discovered that your boiler is leaking water, you might be wondering if you should treat the situation as an emergency or not.

While a boiler leaking water might be due to an easily-fixable issue, you should always take immediate action if you discover your boiler leaking water.

What To Do When Your Boiler Is Leaking

Discovering a pool of cold water beneath your boiler can be a source of immediate concern. Your boiler leaking water might not necessarily mean that you’ll need to replace the entire system, but it’s crucial to act promptly to prevent any further damage. Here are the steps you should take if you discover a boiler leak:

1. Turn Off System

The first and most important step is to turn off your boiler immediately. This can be done by locating the power switch or shutting off the hot gas supply. If you’re unsure how to do this, consult your boiler’s manual or contact a professional for guidance.

This action will help prevent further water damage and potential hazards.

2. Clean Up Water

Using towels or a wet vacuum, carefully clean up the water around the boiler. Take precautions to avoid slipping or electrical hazards. If the leak is substantial, it’s a good idea to also address any water pooling in nearby areas. Proper cleanup is crucial for preventing further damage and assessing the extent of the issue.

3. Call Trusted Boiler Repair Experts

Contacting a trusted boiler repair service like Son-Rise Plumbing is essential at this stage. The expertise of a licensed technician will be invaluable in assessing the situation and providing guidance on the necessary steps to take.

Explain the situation in detail and ask for their advice on whether a repair or replacement is needed. Remember, attempting to fix the issue yourself could void your insurance and warranty, so it’s always best to rely on experienced professionals.

Why is My Boiler Leaking?

Understanding the root cause of the leak is crucial in determining the necessary course of action. Here are some common reasons why boilers may leak:

1. High Pressure Gauge

Excessive pressure within the boiler system can lead to leaks. This may be caused by a faulty pressure relief valve, a malfunctioning expansion tank, or other issues within the system. All gas boilers have energy efficiency requirements, and an unnaturally high boiler pressure might affect these regulations.

High pressure can put unnecessary strain on various components, leading to potential leaks (either water or leaking gas, which is much more serious). A professional technician can assess and adjust the pressure to ensure it’s within safe limits.

2. Bad Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is a critical component of a boiler. It’s responsible for transferring heat from the burner to the water, allowing for heat cold water efficiently. Over time, heat exchangers can develop cracks or other forms of damage.

When this happens, water can escape from the boiler. A damaged or faulty heat exchanger may need to be repaired, or in more severe cases, replaced.

3. Boiler Corrosion

Boilers are exposed to water, which can lead to corrosion over time, especially if not properly maintained. Corrosion weakens the structural integrity of the boiler and can eventually result in leaks.

Regular maintenance, including inspections and boiler corrosion prevention measures, can help prolong the lifespan of your boiler.

4. Leaky Joints

Seals and joints in the boiler system can deteriorate over time, leading to leaks. This can occur around the outlet pipe, valves, or other connections. Leaky joints may be a result of wear and tear, improper installation, or simply aging components. A

Addressing these leaks promptly is essential to prevent further damage and maintain the efficiency of your heating system.

Is A Leaking Boiler Dangerous?

Yes, a leaking boiler can pose serious risks. Water near electrical components can lead to electrical hazards, potentially causing short circuits or fires. Additionally, if the leak is related to high pressure, it may indicate a potentially dangerous situation that requires immediate attention.

Ignoring a leaking boiler can lead to more extensive damage, higher repair costs, and even the need for a complete replacement.
It’s imperative to address the issue promptly to ensure the safety of your home and family. This includes not only repairing the leak but also identifying and rectifying the underlying cause to prevent future occurrences.

Call Son-Rise Plumbing if Your Boiler is Leaking

If you find yourself facing a leaking boiler, don’t delay- contact Son-Rise Plumbing immediately. Our team of experienced professionals specializes in boiler repair and replacement. We will assess the situation, provide expert advice, and ensure that your heating system is restored to optimal functioning.

Boiler safety precautions are easy steps you can take to protect your family from boiler-related problems.

Repairing or replacing your Calgary boiler is expensive, while simple care is cheap. Taking basic safety precautions is a great way to protect your bank account.

Regular boiler safety precautions

1. Check the operating pressure

Every modern boiler comes with a front panel that displays whether the operating pressure is correct, high, or low. If you notice your boiler doesn’t maintain the correct pressure it’s usually a sign that something is wrong.

The culprit is usually a leak somewhere in the system, commonly the radiators. Occasionally, the fault may lie with a boiler component that’s developed an issue.

In both cases, diagnosis and treatment are as simple as noticing a pressure problem and calling in a technician.

2. Look for leaks or drips

Another obvious sign that something is wrong with your boiler is water or, more rarely, air leaking from some part of the system.

Performing a quick check for leaks around your boiler every so often is an important safety precaution and only takes seconds to do.

3. Get regular professional maintenance

Measures like checking the pressure and spotting leaks are sensible, yet they are no substitute for the regular professional preventative boiler maintenance that is often required by law.

A trained technician will know how to give your boiler a full service, including all the pipes and lines, pumps, valves, gauges, and other components and accessories. They can also handle combustion tests and any other activities you don’t have the time or equipment for.

Preventative maintenance is the best precaution

These days, the only domestic boiler safety precautions most people want or need to take is to set up regular annual safety checks.

After your technician’s visit, you’ll know your boiler is in perfect working order and safe for another year.

Need to be sure your boiler is in full working order?

Talk it over with a friendly and experienced professional today. Son-Rise Plumbing & Gasfitting has been family owned and operated, helping local people in Calgary since 1983.

Boiler tube corrosion costs Canadian households thousands in boiler repairs every year. Even high-quality systems can suffer if not set up correctly or properly maintained.

As always, regular preventative care and maintenance of your boiler will pay off in the long-run, but it’s also helpful to understand common boiler problems if you want to keep your bills to a minimum.

Why do boiler tubes corrode?

1. Poor water quality

Heat exchangers and other key components of most modern boilers are made from stainless steel.

High-quality stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion; however, it is possible for poor water quality to overwhelm even resistant materials if it is bad enough.

High levels of chloride in the water–sometimes the result of using a water softener or of such a device malfunctioning–can be at fault too.

2. Poor material choice or quality

Not all modern boilers are created equal. Nor are the materials used in their construction. Take steel for example:

1. Material type – stainless steel is usually more resistant to corrosion than mild steel, making it a superior choice for many boiler components.
2. Material quality – there are several types of stainless steel. Austenitic stainless steel is not as corrosion-resistant as ferric stainless steel and even ferric stainless steel comes in different qualities, denoted by a number.

This makes choosing the right make and model of boiler a key decision before installation. If you’re in any doubt as to the correct choice, it’s always worth seeking professional advice.

3. Leaks caused by material expansion

Noticed a puddle of water beside your boiler? That most likely means your boiler is leaking water.

Different materials expand and contract at different rates when heated. If your boiler’s heat exchanger is made from stainless steel and the fittings are made from brass, water may seep out through the threads very slowly or intermittently.

Over time, this may lead to the build up of calcium and mineral deposits that can look a little like corrosion. This needs to be cleaned off and the system tested but is unlikely to impair its function.

How to prevent boiler tube corrosion

Boiler tube corrosion is a problem that affects thousands of people every year. The most common causes are excessively poor water or material quality, while a mismatch in material expansion rates can lead to leaks that look like corrosion.

Damage and problem prevention is also always more cost-effective and easier than an emergency repair.

This means choosing the right boiler for your home and getting regular preventative boiler maintenance from a qualified technician is the best way to minimize the chance of your boiler developing issues, including corrosion.

Think you might have a problem with boiler tube corrosion?

Have one of our experienced technicians service your boiler today.

 Son-Rise Plumbing & Gasfitting has been meeting the needs of people in Calgary with honesty, professionalism, and integrity since 1983.