Your boiler, hidden away in your Schaumburg, IL home, is likely out of sight and out of mind. However, the area’s hard water may cause sediment buildup inside of your boiler. This buildup interferes with the proper operation of the boiler and may cause it to malfunction or even fail. Look out for these signs of sediment buildup in your home’s boiler this winter season.
Unusual Sounds from the Tank
If you hear banging or popping sounds from your boiler’s tank, this means there’s sediment buildup inside of it. The sound results from the heating element getting too hot. The overheating causes steam to form, and the steam expands the metal. The expansion makes a rumbling, whistling, banging, or popping sound. Regularly flushing the boiler helps prevent this problem.
Color and Odor Changes
Open the drain of the boiler and collect some of the water in a glass. Observe the water. If it’s discolored, your boiler has too much sediment buildup. If the water has a foul odor, this is another sign of hard water sediment in the boiler.
Fluctuating Temperatures
Sediment buildup in your boiler prevents the heating element from effectively releasing its heat into the water. You may notice that some rooms of your home get plenty of heat, and others are too cold for comfort. Energy Saver suggests replacing your boiler if it’s reached its expected lifespan and it’s unable to consistently heat each room of your home.
No Heat
When too much sediment accumulates in a boiler, the heating element may fail. A broken heating element means the boiler won’t deliver any heat. A failed heating element is a major repair. Routine boiler maintenance could prevent the sediment buildup from causing this type of damage.
To learn more about the signs of sediment buildup in your home’s boiler, take a look at Ray’s HVAC’s boiler maintenance, repair, and installation services, or contact our boiler service experts today.
