Repair of a boiler is one of those things you probably don’t want to put off. You could get pretty cold in the amount of time it takes a repairperson to show up. To be sure, there are some repairs you won’t be able to handle yourself, but following are a few simple things you can check:
Pilot Light
The pilot light getting blown out is the most common reason for a boiler to stop working. If you notice that there’s no heat coming from your boiler, check the pilot light and re-light it if necessary. Once the pilot light is re-lit, the boiler will need some time to heat up again before being able to heat up your whole house. If it won’t re-light, there’s most likely a problem with the electronic ignition system, which will need to be repaired by a heating specialist or electrician.
Low Pressure
Low pressure in the boiler usually results in some heat getting pumped to the radiators, but not as much as there should be. Check the boiler’s pressure gauge. If it indicates a pressure below 12 psi, add water to the boiler. The water pressure should be between 12 and 15 psi in most boilers. Check your owner’s manual to find out your boiler’s optimal water pressure.
High Pressure
Wetness around the outside of your boiler is most likely the result of too much water pressure. As stated above, your water pressure should be between 12 and 15 psi. Anything above 15 psi could result in such leaks. To solve this problem, simply remove water from the boiler until it’s within the correct range (your boiler should be about half full).
Others
Some other problems could include:
- Power supply problems. Check your circuit breaker or call and electrician.
- Thermostat malfunction. Make sure it’s in “heat” mode, and try adjusting the temperature. Otherwise, call a repairperson.
- The natural gas or propane control valve could be closed. If it is, open it.
- The expansion tank may not be properly charged with air. Seek professional help to re-charge your expansion tank.
- Faulty pumps, valves, etc. will mostly likely need to be replaced by a repairperson.
- Trapped air in the radiators is another problem for a repairperson to handle.
This list doesn’t include everything that can go wrong with a boiler. After all, they are pretty complicated pieces of machinery. If at any time you aren’t sure how to proceed, call a repairperson. And, if at any point you smell gas, turn the gas off and call the utility company. Hopefully, though, the problem is simple, and your heat will be up and running again before you know it.