3 Problems That Can Create a Boiler Emergency
Any facility that relies on a boiler for heating services or hot water knows how important this appliance can be. The sudden breakdown of a boiler can create a serious problem within the facility.
There are many things that might cause your boiler to go haywire. A malfunctioning boiler can be classified as an emergency situation, so it can help to understand some of the problems that may lead to a boiler emergency in your facility.
1. Leaks
Boilers utilize water to help generate heat. As the boiler ages, it can begin to deteriorate. This often leads to the development of leaks. A boiler leak can mess with the water levels inside the boiler. Should the water levels get too low, the boiler could overheat and explode. It is this potential for an explosion that makes a leaking boiler an emergency.
As soon as you identify pooling water near your boiler, reach out to a repair professional for help. Immediate repairs or the immediate replacement of your damaged boiler will help protect your facility against a possible disaster.
2. Kettling
Boilers are susceptible to a unique condition referred to as kettling. The water passing through a boiler typically contains trace minerals. These minerals deposit along the interior surfaces of the boiler and have the potential to alter the pressure within your boiler. Increasing pressure from within weakens the structural integrity of the boiler and could cause the appliance to burst.
Kettling can be identified by listening for a loud banging or rumbling coming from your boiler. If you do hear these noises, turn the boiler off and call a repair technician right away.
3. Faulty Safety Switch
All boilers feature a safety switch that is designed to automatically turn the system off when the boiler starts to overheat. This safety switch can deteriorate over time and eventually compromise the safety of your boiler system. A faulty safety switch will not communicate the need for a shutdown to the boiler when the internal temperature exceeds safe limits. This results in the boiler running too hot. As soon as all the water evaporates out of the boiler due to the extreme heat, the boiler becomes dangerous.
Overheating can cause internal pressure increases that may lead to a boiler explosion. Routine inspections are required to spot a damaged safety switch, so it's important that you have a boiler emergency service take a look at your boiler often.
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