One sign of a boiler leak is obvious. You’ll see water on the floor around the appliance or water dripping from a pipe. But there are other, subtler signs that all isn’t right with your boiler.
Weird Noises
A boiler that’s working the way it should may have a nice rumbling sound. However, sounds of trouble include gurgling, bubbling or hissing. These are the sounds of water leaking from somewhere in the boiler’s system. The boiler itself doesn’t really have to leak. The leak can also come from components such as its pipes, shutoff valves and those areas around flanges.
Suspiciously Low Pressure
As water leaks in your boiler, its pressure can drop. Check the boiler’s pressure gauge, and call an HVAC professional if you notice the rooms in your home aren’t getting as warm as you’d like.
Water Stains
Besides actual puddles on the floor, you might also notice stains. These stains are signs that the boiler leak has been ongoing. If you see puddles of water or water stains near electrical wires or the boiler’s burner, make sure not to touch them. Call in an HVAC specialist. You may also notice a greenish-whitish crust around pipe joints. These are mineral deposits.
Spike in the Water Bills
When the boiler leaks, it needs to use more and more water to do its job. This causes your water bills to spike even though you see no change in how you use your boiler. Bills go up even though your house isn’t as warm as you’d like it to be.
Rust or Mold
Another sign that there are unseen leaks in your boiler is areas of mold, rust or corrosion on the appliance or on objects around it.
Your Boiler Keeps Shutting Down
Your boiler shutting down over and over might also be a sign of a leak. You might notice error codes as well.
Your Next Steps
Before you call an HVAC technician, shut down the boiler at the power source and then shut off its water supply if you can find the feed valve. If you can’t, don’t search for it, but allow the boiler to cool off and mop up any water. You should note where you see water, what the pressure gauge says and if you’ve seen any error codes. Giving this information to technicians makes their job easier.
Call Us for Professional Boiler Services
Your boiler is essential to keeping your home warm and habitable during the cold season. If you ever need boiler service in Colorado Springs, Colorado, don’t hesitate to contact our HVAC professionals at Peak Home Performance.
