Heating
Boiler repair services in Colorado Springs, CO

When the winter season hits, having a reliable home heating system is essential. This helps to keep your family and your home safe when temperatures drop. However, if your boiler decides to break down during the winter, knowing how to handle this situation can make all the difference in how quickly you get your heating system back.

What Is a Boiler System?

A boiler can be a very efficient way to heat your home. This type of system produces hot water or steam, depending on the specific type of unit that you have. Boilers can be powered by one of a few different types of fuels, including electricity, natural gas, propane, and heating oil. Boilers work by transferring heat through water or steam.

The boiler will turn on and burn whatever fuel it uses to heat up the water inside its tank. Once the water gets to a specified temperature or turns into steam, depending on the type of boiler you have, it’s forced through a series of pipes. Boilers can work with baseboards, radiators, and even radiant flooring systems. Regardless of the type of boiler that you have, it’s highly likely that you’ll experience an issue or two over its operational lifespan.

Identifying Signs of Boiler Malfunctions

When most people picture a boiler breakdown, they imagine a boiler that simply won’t start up. While this is a common situation, there are some other key signs that will signal that your boiler needs to undergo prompt repair service. Some of the usual issues include odd noises, weird smells, unsafe pressure readings, insufficient heat, and water leakage.

Start With Electricity and Fuel

When you notice that your boiler isn’t working, basic components should be checked to see if this is a simple problem that you can fix. One of the first things to check is the power going to the unit. Start by verifying that you have power in other areas of your home to ensure the issue isn’t just the result of a power outage.

Next, check the circuit breaker for your unit. It’s possible that the boiler may have tripped the breaker. If it has, simply turn the breaker back on and wait a moment to see if it trips again. If it does, then a professional will need to evaluate the issue further. If it doesn’t, simply wait for your heating system to restart.

You should also check the fuel supply going to your boiler. If your boiler runs on propane or heating oil, your fuel tank may be empty. If your unit runs on natural gas, ensure that your outside supply line hasn’t been turned off.

Check Your Thermostat and Ignition Setup

Next, you’ll want to evaluate your thermostat. Since it’s the main control for your entire boiler system, any malfunction with your thermostat could prevent your boiler from turning on and heating your home. If the thermostat screen is blank, try replacing its batteries. If that doesn’t solve the issue, there may be an issue with the wiring. It’s also possible that the thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.

If your thermostat is working, check the ignition component of the boiler. Older fuel-burning boilers will use a pilot light to ignite the burner. This pilot light should be lit at all times. If it’s out, then you’ll want to follow your unit’s instructions for relighting the pilot light. If you have a newer system, it will have an electric ignitor that should be evaluated by a professional to determine if it’s functioning correctly or not.

Contact an Emergency Repair Service

If none of the troubleshooting tips above apply to your situation, then it’s time to call in one of our emergency repair technicians. They will be able to further evaluate the source of the problem and repair it swiftly to get your system functioning again.

Tips on Staying Warm Until Repairs Are Done

If your boiler issue is something that needs to be addressed by a professional HVAC technician, then there are some actions that you can take to stay comfortable and warm at home in the meantime. If you have an alternative source of heat, like a fireplace, consider using it to create heat to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Even portable space heaters can be a great way to produce supplemental heat until your boiler can be properly fixed.

Another simple tip is to wear additional layers. You can also cover up with blankets to warm up. Warm beverages like tea, hot cocoa, and coffee can be a great way to warm your body.

Lowering Your Breakdown Risk

While there is no way to eliminate your risk of experiencing a breakdown entirely, there are some effective ways to help drastically lower your risk. One of the most beneficial is scheduling regular maintenance service for your system. Scheduling professional service in the fall provides plenty of time to have issues repaired before you need to use your heating system continuously throughout the winter.

During routine service, your HVAC technician should be able to give you some insight into how much longer your boiler is likely to last. On average, well-kept residential boilers will last for between 10 and 15 years. If your boiler is nearing the end of its lifespan, it can be helpful to upgrade before the cold weather hits.

Another great preventative tactic is to invest in regular power flushing service. This is where an HVAC professional from our team will use a specialized pumping unit to force a special chemical solution throughout your piping and terminal units to flush out any dirt and debris. Poor-quality water inside your boiler can result in numerous problems. Power flushing will help to ensure that the water inside your boiler system is clean and clear. The frequency of power flushing is going to vary, with most people needing this service every one to three years.

You may want to consider investing in a magnetic boiler filtration system. This is a filtration system that gets installed along the water pipe at your boiler. Its magnet is responsible for attracting impurities in the water, like iron. With radiators being constructed out of metal and constantly being in contact with steam and water, it isn’t uncommon for them to develop internal corrosion.

A magnetic filter will help to catch pieces of corrosion when they break off instead of letting them build up inside your system and cause an unexpected breakdown. It’s important to have your HVAC professional remove and clean the filter each year during your annual service appointment.

Reliable Boiler Repair Service

Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air offers reliable boiler repair service for the Colorado Springs, CO, community. We can also help with all your plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and excavation needs.

Call Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air in Colorado Springs today to schedule your next service consultation.

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