If your home is heated with a gas or oil fired boiler, it can be a major inconvenience when it breaks down. If it’s a very cold day, it won’t be long before the interior temperature of your home drops rapidly.
There are several reasons why boilers fail. The circulating pump is a common culprit. If this stops, the boiler will cycle on and off quickly but hot water will not circulate throughout your home. A safety mechanism in the boiler will prevent it from continually overheating the system; this is why you’ll hear the flame start and shut off.
Another source of breakdown is with the main circuit board on the boiler itself. The boiler orchestrates the ON (call for heat) and OFF functions of the unit. This call-for-heat is dictated by A) the temperature you set on the thermostat, B) the temperature of the water and C) the pressure within the system. Circuit boards do eventually fail and sometimes need to be swapped out after an examination from a professional.
If you find that your boiler is leaking, there may an issue with your expansion tank. This tank allows for increased pressure in the system as the water heats and cools. It may also be that a pressure relief valve needs to be replaced. These are designed to let out water at certain pressures, but if they are faulty, they may begin to leak prematurely.
Our recommendation is to not adopt a do-it-yourself approach. Boilers are complex and often involve the use of electricity, gas/oil and water. It’s best left to the professionals.
If you suspect your boiler is not functioning correctly, don’t hesitate to give Chasles Plumber Professionals a call. We’ll show you why the boiler has failed and provide you with your best options for repair.
And remember… ALWAYS have at least ONE Carbon Monoxide detector in your home. We recommend one on each floor.