Tell-Tale Signs You Need Emergency Boiler Repair in Bismarck, ND

Although boilers aren’t as commonplace in American homes as they used to be, there are still over 9 million of them in the country.

As with forced-air furnaces, your boiler has plenty of moving parts that go through a lot of wear and tear. The average boiler system should last at least 15 years with proper maintenance, but you need to be mindful of problems when they arise to deal with them promptly.

In today’s post, we will tell you some of the telltale signs that you need emergency boiler repair. As we said, with proper maintenance, you should be able to avoid most of these issues, but the more prepared you are, the better. Keep reading and learn when to get boiler repair services.

No Heat Coming Out

A fairly obvious sign that you’re having boiler problems is a complete lack of heat from your radiators. When you have no heat at all, it could be due to an excess of air in the system, valve and circulation pump failure, water level problems, or thermostat issues.

If the radiators are partially heating, but not reaching the desired temperature, there could be a sludge buildup in the system. The first thing to do is try to rule your thermostat out as the culprit by checking the settings while the boiler is running.

Set it to 5 degrees above the current room temperature. If you can hear the boiler kick in, but you’re not getting any heat, you know the issue runs deeper than the thermostat.

In the best circumstances, a full system bleed and chemical flushing will eliminate the buildup. If it’s something more serious than that, you may need more extensive repairs or even full boiler replacement.

Water Leaking

Your boiler is a closed loop that shouldn’t ever let the water inside escape. If you see dripping water or signs of water damage around the boiler, don’t ignore it. Not only does water damage put your home at risk, but it can also lead to mold, which has various negative health effects.

It also signals something wrong with your boiler. Leaking water shouldn’t necessarily cause panic. The repairs could be relatively simple, like replacing a socket or bolt, but they could also be more intensive. 

The most common causes of boiler leaks are corrosion of metal components, damaged seals, and pressure issues. Low pressure can lead to leaks, but high pressure can lead to burst pipes, leading to significant water damage.

You don’t want your leak to be the result of a damaged heat exchanger. This is the most expensive part of your boiler and you won’t be able to inspect it without the help of an HVAC professional. If you’ve ruled out all other possibilities, this could signal the end of your boiler.

Pilot Light Problems

Your boiler’s pilot light should remain on at all times, as it is the flame that lights the gas coming out of the main burner when you turn the boiler on. The flame is fueled by a small amount of gas that trickles out of the boiler’s pipe at all times.

If it goes out, it’s usually due to a blockage preventing the gas from escaping the pipe. Your boiler should react to the pilot light going out by automatically shutting the gas supply off. Another reason that it might shut off, however, is due to a faulty thermocouple.

When the thermocouple is the culprit, there’s always a chance gas could be leaking into your home. Without the flame to burn off the gas, you’re at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. When your boiler turns off, the pilot light is one of the first things you should look at and, if it’s off, call for emergency HVAC repair.

Unusual Boiler Odor

You shouldn’t smell your boiler other than when you turn it on for the first time in a while. Different smells mean different things. 

If you smell burning metal or plastic, you’ve likely got a fried circuit or melting parts somewhere in your system. When the smell is gaseous, you’ve got a gas leak and need to shut the system off as soon as possible.

In the latter scenario, contact the gas company before contacting emergency HVAC repair. If the carbon monoxide detectors go off as well, you should vacate your home right away.

Unusual Boiler Noise

A boiler system should almost always operate in silence. If you hear any hissing, banging, or gurgling, it’s a fair indication that you’ve got issues that need repair.

Most often, noises signal problems with the heater pump or heat exchanger, but it could also be due to a blockage in the system. You should never continue to operate your boiler as the damage will keep getting worse. Contact an HVAC professional for emergency boiler repair and get it dealt with quickly.

Higher Than Normal Energy Bills

Your boiler won’t always tell you when there’s an underlying problem until it’s too late. Fortunately, you can usually get a sense of how well your boiler is performing by looking at your energy bills. If they’re steady and you don’t notice any of the above issues, your boiler is working just fine.

When you notice a sudden spike in energy costs, you know you’ve got a major issue with boiler energy efficiency. Older boilers aren’t the most energy-efficient way to heat your home, but newer ones have AFUE ratings of over 90%.

The best thing to do is to have your boiler inspected immediately. If there’s an issue that can be fixed, a technician will find it. In most circumstances, higher bills mean that your boiler is reaching the end of its lifespan, but replacing it will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Get the Best Emergency Boiler Repair in Bismarck

If you use a boiler to heat your home, it’s your best friend during the cold North Dakota winters. The more you use it, the more wear and tear it gets, so if you notice any of the signs of damage we’ve discussed here, it’s time for emergency boiler repair.

To get the best boiler repair services in Bismarck, look no further than Advanced Mechanical Inc. Since 1980, we’ve been Bismarck’s go-to HVAC and plumbing experts, so contact us for all of your boiler-related issues.