Boehmer Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Boiler Repair’

How Can Lime Scale Cause Problems for My Boiler System?

Monday, December 28th, 2015

There are many parts of our state that are pastoral or rural, leaving many homeowners getting their home’s water from a well. This isn’t a bad thing, but water that comes directly from a well tends to be “hard water,” aka, water that has high mineralization. This mineralization can actually be healthy for people but not so healthy for your plumbing system, which will include your heating system if you use a boiler to heat your home in Mount Lebanon.

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Is It Time to Repair Your Boiler?

Monday, November 16th, 2015

Many homeowners in our area enjoy the use of a boiler system to heat their homes. If you are one such homeowner, you need to be aware of signs that can indicate that it is time for an expert to attend to your boiler before a full breakdown ensues. To help you discern these signs, and get ahead of a potential repair for your boiler system in Bethel Park, our experts have put together some of the more common signs or problems to be aware of:

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What Are These Noises from My Boiler?

Friday, March 20th, 2015

Boilers are known for their quiet operation. Unlike forced-air heating systems, which may have loud fans and motors running at all times, boilers have far fewer moving parts, and these are usually out of the way of your living space. You might not notice that your boiler is in trouble until you move closer to the unit itself, but when you hear loud rumbling, rattling, or other noises, it can seem quite alarming.

When you notice odd sounds from your boiler unit or anywhere in your home heating system when you run the boiler, call Boehmer Heating & Cooling.

Common Noises and What They Mean

If you hear a rumbling or rattling noise from the tank of your boiler, it could mean trouble. Most likely, the source of the rumbling is sediment in the tank. Sediment builds up as hard water moves into the pipes with your water supply. Hard water is water that has a high concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These can leave deposits in the tank, which can then rattle around and cause a bit of noise.

More important than the noise, however, is the effect that these minerals have on the performance of your boiler. When sediment builds up too much, the volume in the tank decreases, which means that pressure increases. Long ago, a boiler in this position could be at risk of exploding, but this is not a concern today. Safety features on the boiler should shut down the unit if the pressure becomes too high or water may leak out from a relief valve. Either way, this is not an ideal situation to be in, and you should have a technician look at the system as soon as you can.

Noises from your boiler, from the baseboard heater or radiator, or from the pipes underneath your floorboard can all indicate trouble. Often, noises from locations besides the boiler tank itself could indicate circulator pump trouble. This can lead to uneven heating or none at all.

Call us today at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. We can drain sediment from your boiler or find a suitable solution with our boiler repair service in Bethel Park. In some cases, a replacement is necessary, but we can help you to find the best system for your replacement needs quickly.

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Is Rust a Sign That My Boiler Needs Repairs?

Wednesday, November 19th, 2014

Your boiler uses water to heat your home, but it is made to withstand the effects of rust. For rust to develop, there has to be enough oxygen present in the air in addition to the water; boilers are made to be as air-tight as possible, so rust shouldn’t be an issue. If you are seeing rust and corrosion on your boiler, it is time to call a technician as the rust is most likely the result of a problem somewhere in your system.  The trained and certified technicians at Boehmer Heating & Cooling are available around the clock when you’re in need of quality boiler repair service in South Hills, so if you are seeing significant rust on your boiler, call us today.

Sacrificial Anode

Manufacturers of boilers understand that rust development is a potential issue with any boiler. This is why every boiler comes equipped with a component called a sacrificial anode, also called a sacrificial rod. A sacrificial anode is placed at the top of the water tank. It is made from a highly active metal alloy that corrodes faster than the metal of the tank, so it “sacrifices” itself ahead of the tank. But should the anode completely corrode and not be replaced, the rusting process will move on to the tank itself.

Problems Caused by Rust

Rust and corrosion are never good for any whole-home system; here are a few ways it can be problematic for your boiler:

  • Development of leaks – if rust has developed in an area like your water tank, the expansion tank or on piping, water leaks can develop. This will lower the pressure in your system and cause heating problems in addition to potential water damage.
  • Problems with water temperature – rust acts as an insulator. If significant rust develops on your water tank or heat exchanger, the system can overheat. Additionally, the higher temperature can increase the pressure in your system, which can cause problems.

Maintenance Is Great Prevention

One of the best ways to ensure that your boiler isn’t rusting is to schedule annual maintenance. During a maintenance appointment, you system will be thoroughly inspected and the sacrificial anode will be checked and replaced if needed.

Rust is never a good sign on a heating system. If you are seeing excessive rust on your boiler in South Hills, call Boehmer Heating & Cooling today to schedule a service appointment.

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When Is Boiler Repair Necessary?

Monday, September 30th, 2013

Boilers that circulate hot water through a home to warm it are one of the oldest kinds of heating systems. They are still popular today because of their efficiency, low maintenance, and quiet operation. Most likely, you haven’t paid much attention to the boiler in your own home, and it has gone about its job of keeping the cold Pennsylvania weather away. But if your boiler starts to exhibit problems, it may need repair. Here are some signs that your boiler will need professional fixes to keep it working at its best.

For Pittsburgh boiler repair, people have turned to Boehmer Heating & Cooling since 1933. Contact us if you think your boiler needs attention from a trained technician.

Loss of heat: The major sign of a boiler problem is that it is no longer bringing you the heat you need. First check that the thermostat is set correctly and no circuit breakers have been tripped. If the problem persists, the boiler will probably need repair. Since different boilers use different power sources (such as electricity, gas, or oil), there are a variety of reasons for the boiler to stop producing heat. Since trying to fix these troubles involves exposure to electricity or toxic gases, do not try to make major repairs on your own.

Extreme corrosion: Any place where water comes in contact with metal can potentially lead to corrosion. If the corrosion on your boiler is too extensive, the metal will weaken. Corrosion is one of the principle causes for your boiler to leak water, and you should attend to it as soon as possible. The repair work needed varies: a superficial layer of rust is easy to deal with, while enormous corrosion may require replacing the whole tank.

Consistent, unpleasant noises: Boilers usually make little sound as they work, so if you hear a loud rumbling or shrieking noise it may indicate a problem. Rumbling can point toward too much cold water mixing in the tank, or a burner clogged with dirt. Shrieking needs prompt attention, since there could be a loose bearing in the electric motor or oil pump.

It’s important to get an informed opinion on anything that seems to be amiss with your boiler. Because of the variety of models, it is difficult to pin down exactly what might be causing a heat loss or a strange noise. The experts in Pittsburgh boiler repair at Boehmer Heating & Cooling can get to the root of the problem and offer you a solution, fast. Contact us today!

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Pittsburgh Boiler Repair Guide: Why Does My Boiler Make Strange Sounds?

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Does your boiler bang, squeal, or make other noises? There can be a number of reasons for strange sounds emitting from your Pittsburgh home’s boiler. As one of the home’s most hard working appliances, the boiler accounts for a significant part of your utility bills. It is imperative, therefore, that the boiler stays in top shape throughout the year, but especially during the heating season. The most important thing to keep in mind is that a proper diagnosis must come from an expert. Call the Pittsburgh boiler technicians at Boehmer Heating & Cooling to discuss your concerns with a professional.

If your boiler emits banging noises, as though metal parts were clanging together, it may be the rapid expansion and contraction of your boiler’s internal components. There may also be air pockets trapped in the boiler caused by a decrease in water flow, which may be due to corrosion or a problem with hard water. Water flow problems can also be caused by a flow rate setting or a faulty pump. Strange sounds are only part of the list of symptoms, and assessing your boiler requires a hands-on approach.

If your boiler operates without clanging, but you notice uneven baseboard heating, or if your fuel bill jumps from one month to the next, those may also be signs that your boiler needs expert repair. In any event, know that you can rely on your local Pittsburgh boiler technician to make a professional diagnosis and to offer you a solution.

A noisy boiler is never a good sign. Schedule an inspection with Boehmer Heating & Cooling to determine if your boiler needs repair or if it is a part of its normal operation. It’s the first step to maintaining a effective and efficient boiler. Call us today. 

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Pittsburgh Heating Tip: Problems Affecting Your Boiler’s Performance

Monday, January 28th, 2013

While there could be many problems affecting your boiler’s performance, there are a few common reasons your boiler is not heating your home enough. Call the Pittsburgh heating specialists at Boehmer Heating & Cooling for all your boiler needs.

If there’s sediment build-up inside the boiler tank, this could affect the performance. That’s why it is important to have a professional flush your tank during routine tune-ups so that it prevents decreased water levels, which affects how well the boiler heats your home or hot water. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge as well so that you know when the water levels are abnormally low. Consult your owner’s manual if you aren’t sure how to read the pressure gauge. Call a repair technician if the readings are not normal. This could prevent a safety issue or damage to the system.

If there’s too much air in the lines feeding the radiators, this could also affect performance. If you hear hissing noises, there could be too much air inside the lines. In gas boilers, a bad thermocouple sensor is another issue that can cause low heating output. This sensor measures the gas flow, so if it is broken, then you won’t be getting enough heat. Call for repairs if you think this may be the issue.

Lastly, a leaking boiler tank will definitely cause performance problems since a water leak can affect the temperatures of the water. Signs of corrosion or rust on your tank should be looked at by a boiler repair technician.

Call Boehmer Heating & Cooling for heating repair in Pittsburgh!

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Possible Causes of Poor Boiler Heating Performance: Some Pointers from Brentwood

Friday, November 11th, 2011

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or a mechanical engineer to troubleshoot – and possibly diagnose – the problems with your boiler when its heating performance is erratic or non-existent in your Brentwood home.

The good thing about boilers is that they are typically reliable and long-lasting. There aren’t a lot of working parts that can break down and cause problems, compared to other home heating equipment. When problems do arise, they are usually related to the expansion tank or circulating pumps. But a problem can be much simpler – like a tripped circuit breaker.

The most common problems can be noise, no heat, or poor/erratic heating. Before calling a qualified heating and cooling professional, take a moment to see if you can figure out the what’s wrong.

If you have a noisy boiler it might be because of two things – a faulty circulating pump or water trapped in the return lines. If the pump breaks it will make a loud noise when its motor runs. Water can be trapped in the return lines, which may require “re-pitching” the lines to allow for a flow back to the boiler. You may be able to adjust the flow by positioning hangers on the piping but replacing a pump is better left to a professional.

If your boiler is producing no heat, it could be because of something as simple as a circuit breaker being tripped or a fuse being blown. Check your circuit breakers and fuse and reset or replace if necessary. Is your boiler thermostat in the heat mode? It should be but if it isn’t, make the switch. If your boiler has a standing pilot you should check to see if it is lit and if not, re-light it.

Other problems would take a professional to fix. For example, no heat can be traced to low water levels in the boiler. The boiler should always be half-full of water and if it isn’t, it is likely because of leaks or a faulty pressure reducing valve. Don’t try and fix the problem by yourself.

Low water levels may not cause the boiler to lose its heating capabilities, but may cause fluctuations in its heating capacity. Again, it is advisable to call a professional to diagnose and fix the problem. Poor heating can also be traced to mineral deposits in the boiler. Consult your owner’s manual on instructions how to flush out the boiler.

As always, read the owner guide or operating manual for your boiler. You should get some good tips on proper maintenance and troubleshooting. And have the phone number of a qualified professional taped to your boiler – just in case.

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