4 Possible Causes of Boiler Leaks
Learn about some common causes of boiler leaks and how to fix them
Have you noticed standing water or wet spots in your boiler room? Here are 4 possible causes of the problem.
Pressure Problems
Every boiler will have a special pressure outlet pipe coming out of the side of the unit. Occasionally, this pipe may “leak” a few drops of water. In reality, a little bit of water coming from this pipe is not a leak at all. The entire purpose of this pipe is to relieve excess pressure inside the boiler, and sometimes this means steamy air comes out and condenses into a few drips of water. This is normal. What is not normal is for a significant puddle of water to appear under this pipe. If you are finding water under the pressure outlet pipe on a daily basis, your boiler tank probably has too much pressure and you should call a boiler repair company for troubleshooting.
Seal Problems
Another possible cause of wet spots or puddles in your boiler room is bad seals. Typically, seals go bad with age, but excess heat or pressure can also play a role in shortening seal life. When the seals are no longer watertight, the boiler pump can end up pushing water out through the damaged spots. When this happens, it is typically recommended to replace the pump and the seals at the same time.
Cracks
If you have an older boiler, it is possible that years of expansion and contraction of the metal body of the boiler under different temperatures has caused stress and fatigue to the material. Eventually, the metal may actually crack or split and you could have a big leak and serious water damage on your hands. Because a cracked tank can be a very expensive repair, most people end up buying a new boiler instead of fixing the crack.
Loose Joints
One final problem that can cause water leaks around your boiler is loose joints. Fortunately, this kind of boiler leak is very easy to fix. All you have to do is tighten the fitting on the joint to make a secure connection. Whenever one joint leaks, it is a good idea to check all the joints to make sure they are not coming loose.
Need Boiler Repairs?
If you need help pinpointing the cause of a boiler leak and making a professional repair, just call The Stanley Louis Company at 800-217-6527. We work on all kinds of boilers and we will be happy to help.
