You can trust Call the Whale for high-quality boiler installation and repair. However, it’s just as important to follow a boiler maintenance checklist. Boiler maintenance ranges from annual checkups from a qualified technician to regular tasks you can do yourself. It ensures your boiler can operate safely and improves reliability and efficiency. Also, it can reduce the need for boiler repair and increase the lifespan of equipment.
- Professional Boiler Maintenance Checklist
- Boiler Maintenance You Can Do at Home
- How Do I Know If I Have a Boiler Problem?
- How Often Should a Boiler Be Flushed?
- Does Boiler Maintenance Take Long?
- Is Maintaining My Boiler Worth It?
Professional Boiler Maintenance Checklist
During annual heater maintenance, our technicians:
- Inspect the System: The boiler system is checked for any signs of wear, damage, or corrosion. During an inspection, the tech will examine the heat exchanger, condensate system, burners, controls, and other components.
- Clean the Burners: A dirty or clogged burner can reduce heat output and efficiency; we inspect and clean the burners as part of our regular maintenance routine.
- Test Controls: Set points on operating controls are raised and lowered to evaluate heat output and confirm the unit shuts down when the set point is reached.
- Test the High Limit Safety Switch: The technician lowers the set point to confirm the unit shuts down if the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold. The system is then manually reset.
- Check the Safety Relief Valve: The valve is tested to verify it will shut off the boiler if pressure levels get too high.
- Perform Combustion Flue Gas Analysis: An analytical instrument is used to verify proper combustion through the unit’s entire firing range. It also helps determine whether the unit is producing carbon monoxide.
- Examine the Venting System: Our boiler maintenance professionals look for signs of blockages, leaks, corrosion, or sagging of the exhaust flue and intake piping. If necessary, repairs are performed to restore safe operation.
- Perform a Boiler Blowdown: Water is removed from the boiler to maintain prescribed water levels, remove suspended solids, and minimize scale and corrosion.
- Test the Low Water Cutoff Control: The low water safety probe should be inspected, cleaned, or replaced annually.
Other important steps on our boiler maintenance checklist include:
- Clean the heat exchanger
- Check for fuel leaks
- Inspect the oil pump
- Check the burner refractory material
- Make sure all connections and wiring are secure
- Check the water level
- Measure water pH levels
- Flush the condensate system, if necessary
- Clean flame sensors and ignitors
- Clean the air inlet and vent terminations
- Inspect gauges, monitors, and indicators
- Look for errors or service codes
Boiler Maintenance You Can Do at Home
Between maintenance visits by your local heating company, here is a boiler maintenance checklist you can follow without the help of a technician:
- Check the boiler water level, temperature, and pressure.
- Look under and around the unit for leaking water.
- Remove obstructions from the vent termination.
- Keep the combustion air opening clear.
- Inspect all boiler piping for leaks or damage.
- Listen for noise or vibrations that can indicate a problem.
- Look for potential errors or service codes.
- Inspect the drain system for leaks or clogs.
- Check the burner flame.
- Check that the burner linkages are secure.
- Inspect the pilot assembly.
- Make sure the ignition electrode is centered in the igniter body.
- Check air dampers and clean them if necessary.
- Inspect and clean or replace oil filters.
How Do I Know If I Have a Boiler Problem?
A DIY check can be comprehensive without working with complex components or performing risky tasks. Call for help if you notice any of these signs of mechanical problems with your boiler:
- Water leaks around the unit
- Loud and unusual sounds
- Stange, unpleasant odors
- Lack of heating or hot water
- Lower than usual water temperature
- The boiler shuts off unexpectedly
- Your energy bill spikes suddenly.
How Often Should a Boiler Be Flushed?
We recommend flushing your boiler every six to 12 months. Hard water can cause minerals to accumulate in the unit more quickly, so more frequent flushing may be required. Check the manufacturer’s instructions or with your heating contractor for more information.
Does Boiler Maintenance Take Long?
Most boilers can be serviced in 30 minutes to an hour, while it takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete gas boiler maintenance.
Is Maintaining My Boiler Worth It?
Maintenance improves efficiency, prevents costly repairs, and can delay having to replace your boiler. The cost of maintenance depends on what your local heating contractor charges or if it’s included in a service plan. It is generally much less than the cost of repairs and replacement parts.
Schedule Boiler Maintenance Today
Call the Whale provides a complete range of boiler services, including maintenance. We service oil and gas boilers and water-based heating systems that use baseboards, air handlers, or radiant heating setups. Our technicians follow a highly detailed boiler maintenance checklist to verify and ensure correct operation. If there are hidden issues, we’ll perform any boiler repair necessary. To learn more or request boiler services in Vermont, contact us today.
