Many homes in the Dover, DE area rely on boilers to keep themselves warm in the throes of winter. A boiler is an eminently reliable system and its use of steam to provide heat is both simple and economical. One of the biggest problems we encounter with boilers is a leak, which can wreak havoc with the process and diminish the system’s heating capacity. Even worse, because the system uses steam, it’s very hard for you to detect some leaks, since the water evaporates as it leaves the system, with no puddles or drips. The good news is that you can still detect a leaky boiler with some careful observation and diligence. When you do, you should shut it down and call in a repair technician immediately.
Rust and Corrosion
As we intimated above, a leak isn’t going to result in wet spots or puddles all the time. However, the steam released by the leak can cause rust along the nearby metal of the pipe, as well as white spots, green spots and other signs of corrosion. Mild rust can usually be cleaned up by a technician, but extensive rust may necessitate replacement of the entire length of pipe.
Noises
Steam escaping form a leak or a poorly fitted length of pipe may be released with a noise of some kind, usually a quiet hiss or something similar. The hiss can be displaced along the pipe in some cases, so don’t worry about pinpointing the spot if you detect a strange noise. Simply call in a repair service.
The Gauge
All boilers come with a pressure gauge, designed to read the pressure in the unit and keep it where it needs to be. A leak will disrupt the pressure. If you see it go down while your heater is running, or notice that it reads lower than you’re accustomed, you may be dealing with a leak.
Call Atlantic Refrigeration today to deal with boiler leaks!