Boiler Repair in Maine

Troubleshooting and Fixing a Broken Boiler

You may be able to save money by making minor heater repairs yourself.

• Strange sounds: If your boiler starts knocking or banging, an incorrect installation may be to blame. Call a professional--this is too complicated for the typical homeowner to repair.
• Too little heat: Your water pressure may be too low, or you may have mineral deposits in the the boiler or heat exchanger. First, check the the pressure or combination temperature / pressure gauge. If the water pressure is less than 12 psi, add water to the tank. Open the water feed valve until the pressure gauge reads 12 - 15 psi. If the problem is mineral deposits, have a professional flush the tank.
• No heat: Check that the pilot light is on. If it's out, verify that the gas is on before re-lighting the pilot light. The manufacturer's instructions should be posted on the unit or nearby. If your boiler is electric, look for a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker as needed. Then ascertain that the thermostat is in "heat" mode and is set at the desired temperature. Try changing the thermostat setting and see if the boiler resets itself. If that doesn't work, you may have excess air in your heating system. Release it by using a flat head screwdriver or radiator key. You should find a small valve on top of each radiator. Give it ¼ turn counterclockwise to vent excess air. Once water appears, turn the valve back to the original position. Repeat for every radiator in your home. If you still have a problem, call in a pro.

It is critical to have your heating system routinely inspected to head off damage from leaks, malfunctioning controls, or ventilation problems, says Mike Bell, owner of Extreme Radiant in Carson City, NV. "Get it checked out before problems develop. Those things always go out at the worst time if you don't."