Is Your Boiler Kettling? This Could Be a Sign of a Serious Problem
What comes to mind when you imagine a kettle boiling? If you’re like many people, it may be comforting. It may bring to mind images of your parents or grandparents enjoying a cup of tea or a mug of coffee on a cold winter day. That same noise that can be so comforting can actually be something worth worrying about if you hear it from your boiler. Read on to learn more about what it may mean and what you can do about it. Then contact The Stanley Louis Company at 800-217-6527 for help.
If your boiler is making a sound like kettling then it’s time to call in the pros
At The Stanley Louis Company, we’ve dealt with many clients who hear their boiler making a kettle-like sound and become scared. It seems like such a terrifying sound and it makes people feel as though they’re at risk for their boiler exploding. The good news is that it’s extremely unlikely that your boiler is going to explode. That said, it is a dangerous sign and one that you should take seriously.
Explaining that sound and its causes
The sound you hear that’s similar to a kettle boiling is aptly referred to as kettling. It’s a sign that it’s time to invest in a new water heater for your home. The cause is typically traced back to hard water. What is hard water? It’s water that has an extremely high mineral content. Each time hard water goes through the heat exchanger in your boiler, it leaves behind small amounts of minerals on the walls of your pipes.
As time goes on, these minerals can buildup. Eventually, they can lead to water being blocked or otherwise restricted from moving through the pipes. The water in the heat exchanger then begins to evaporate into steam. This puts incredible pressure on the pipes and they begin to make rumbling sounds. That’s what you’re hearing.
The danger of boiler kettling
Many people are surprised to learn that the majority of boilers aren’t actually made to boil water – despite their name. Water turns into steam when it boils, and this causes expansion. When this happens, the heat exchange is under much more stress than it was designed for. If that stress isn’t relived in some way, then the heat exchanger will eventually rupture and the boiler’s going to break altogether.
The good news is that most boilers have safeguards that work to prevent this from happening. That said, it does happen and when it happens, it’s serious. If you hear this from your boiler, turn it off right away and then call The Stanley Louis Company. Remember that we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We can assess the situation and determine what the best way forward is. It may involve repairs, it may involve replacement, but either way you can count on The Stanley Louis Company to provide honest advice on your options. Call us today at 800-217-6527 for more information.
