5 Common Causes of Boiler Leaks

A boiler is a fairly straightforward, hardworking, reliable, and long-lasting appliance with fewer moving parts than a traditional heating system. When professionally installed and maintained, your boiler should last an average of 15 to 20 years. However, one of the most common issues with boilers that can arise at any time is water leakage. Diagnosing the cause of the issue typically requires the skill and experience of a professional.

While you shouldn’t attempt to repair the issue yourself, you can take a few steps to prevent more water from leaking into your home:

• Turn off the water supply
• Switch off the heat
• Clean up any water
• Contact a qualified HVAC expert
• Don’t attempt to repair the leak yourself

Here are some common reasons your boiler might be leaking:

1. Extreme Pressure

If the pressure in the pipes and fittings is extreme, the system would need to create an outlet for all that pressure to escape. However, escaping with the pressure is water from your boiler, causing a leak.

One way to prevent this is to include monitoring the pressure valve on your boiler in your boiler maintenance routine. You can have a professional check and replace the valve if you think it is defective.

2. High Temperatures

If the temperature in your boiler runs unchecked, it can damage components and fittings in your boiler that will cause it to spring a leak. Boilers usually have a fail-safe system to prevent this, but when they fail, the damage can range from a puddle on your floor to a boiler explosion.

You can tell your temperature sensors are running amok when the water from your tap is scalding.

3. Loose Joints

There should be no cause for alarm; you can chalk this down as regular wear and tear from using any machine. Although, if unnoticed, it can devolve into more serious problems and damage components of your boiler. This is why it is crucial to have routine boiler maintenance so you can save money by avoiding any unnecessary boiler repairs.

4. Damage to Seals or Body

Unlike loose joints that you can easily tighten, some damages are more permanent and would require repair or complete replacement. If, from use, your boiler has developed damage to the body or some important seals have come loose or weakened, it is important to have it rectified before it worsens.

5. Poor Installations

Sometimes your boiler leaks because you installed it incorrectly or had people with insufficient experience install it in the first place. It might have been to save cost but will end up costing you more as you will now need to repair the damage and have the unit installed properly this time.

Having your boiler repair and installation handled by professional HVAC engineers with years of experience is crucial.

We Have All the Answers

Whatever the issue with your boiler might be, ABE Heating and Cooling has professionals on the clock ready to take care of it. We are located in Brighton, Colorado and serve the entire Denver Metro Area. Get in touch today to find out more!