Boilers work by involving water during the whole process of heating. Therefore, leakage is not an unusual issue. However, some leakages need attention as they may damage the boiler.
Here are 7 reasons that could explain why your boiler leaking:
7 Common Reasons Why Your Boiler Is Leaking
#1: Pressure is inconsistent.
When you see a large puddle of water under your boilers, that’s likely the result of water leaking out of the outlet pipe. Outlet pipes are specialized pipes used for releasing extra pressure. For the pressure to flow in the system, you should assemble the outlet pipe without sealing fittings. This causes a small ‘leak’ of water escaping the pipe.
If the water puddle is only small, then it doesn’t matter much. However, if you’re dealing with large pools of water, you might want to check the amount of pressure in your system. You can check through the gauge needle, which indicates a green as normal or red, if the pressure needs to be reduced.
#2: Joints are loose.
Boilers change the temperature of water from cold to hot, and because of this process, pipes expand and contract. This back and forth expanding and contracting makes the joints loose, which then results in water leaking.
Always make sure that joints are tightened every time to avoid damaging your boiler. You will know if a joint is loose when you see water leaking, so always check all the fittings.
#3: Body and seals are broken.
Another result of the continuous expanding and contracting of boilers is that it can lead to cracks in the body of the system. Also, if the seals are damaged, water leaks out and will form puddles under your boiler.
Rubber seals tend to harden and break after years of use. When this happens, it might be good to buy a new one.
#4: Blowdown valve is faulty.
During maintenance of your boilers, there’s a process called ‘blowdown’ that involves purifying dirty water. You open the valve quickly during this process which will then damage the boiler valve. When there’s damage, water leaks, resulting in a pool of water on the floor. To prevent this from happening, check your boiler regularly.
#5: Heat Exchanger Corrosion
One of the most essential parts of a boiler is the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger converts the heat in the water to gas which makes your home warm. Unfortunately, with the constant usage of a heat exchanger, it corrodes and breaks. When this happens, it is better to purchase a new one.
#6: Auto-Air Vent Leakage
Usually, when there’s a huge amount of pressure in the boiler, the boiler switches to an auto-air vent to let out the excess pressure using a valve that opens and closes. However, during this process, the valve gets stiff, letting air and the water out. So if there is water leaking at the top of the boiler, that could be because of the valve leaks during auto-air venting.
#7: Trapped sediments
When a leak is found after suspecting a malfunctioning pressure valve, it may be because of some sediments trapped inside. When sediments get trapped inside and accumulate, the valve cannot close or open. During this case, you might want to call a professional to help with eliminating the sediments out of the boiler.
Conclusion
Boiler leakages can often be remedied immediately. But there are certain cases where an expert needs to take a look at the problem. Either way, boilers require attention and maintenance. Although boilers wear down after some time, like other things, it is better to take action and regularly check up the boilers for them to last longer. If your boiler is becoming more of a pain because of old age and inefficiency, then maybe it’s time to get a new boiler quote for a new and improved boiler.
