A boiler leak doesn’t necessarily summon an apocalypse. Three things can be done to determine the severity of the leak. Try not to go into panic mode as it won’t help in this situation. The normal life expectancy of a heater or boiler is about 20 years, notwithstanding, providers prescribe checking your machine each year to ensure there are no serious issues. Putting off doing the inspection can cost you money into the thousands to have repairs done or to purchase a new one. That’s not including any additional fees that may occur.

On the off chance that you as of late found you have a boiler leak, don’t start thinking about cost just yet. There are a couple of approaches to investigate the issue. Once in a while, boilers that are old need a couple of parts changed to make them good as new. Of course, sometimes a water leak can show a greater issue.

Before you call your nearby handyperson or heater provider, take a couple of minutes to inspect the source of the leak. The reason for it can be a lot simpler than you may think.

Three Things You Can Do If Your Boiler Is Leaking

When you have water leakage, it is essential that you address the issue right away. As mentioned, it can be a simple issue that can be solved in little to no time at all. However, it can also be a major issue that needs immediate attention.

A lot of DIY people like to take on these types of repairs themselves. However, you’ll need to be careful. Make sure to do some reading, watch tutorial videos where available, and read the product manual. Manufacturers give a lot of information on how their product works and things that should and shouldn’t be done to them.

Once you feel more confident, you can attempt making the checks and repairs yourself. If you have a leaking boiler here is what to do to address the issue. You first want to check these three things and then you can do some repairs included in this guide. A lot of DIY people like to take on these types of repairs themselves. However, you’ll need to be careful.

1. Check for Pressure Issues

This is the most probable reason for your heater leaking or why you’re seeing water around your heater. All boilers (heaters) have a special outlet pipe that is used to release pressure. This pipe is fitted onto the heater without fittings or glue to allow the pressure to escape. Because of this special design, water sometimes escapes the outlet pipe because of an increase in pressure. If the leak is only a tiny amount of water, then there isn’t much to worry about. This will happen occasionally.

However, if you’re seeing a lot of water, then you need to check further. You’ll want to check the pressure gauge of your boiler. Look to see where the needle is pointed, if it’s in the red it means that the pressure has gone beyond the ‘safe’ amount. You’ll need to call in a professional to have them drain your heater and relieve the pressure.

2. Check for Possible Loose Joints

Boilers contract and expand with the increase and decrease in temperature; going from hot to cold. This can cause a loosening of the various joints attached to the boiler. They may also become weak. When this happens, the boiler can leak water because of these openings created by the loosened joints. Newly installed heaters may also require some tightening of the joints.

Take a dry cloth and clear up all the water. Inspect all the joints and pipes going into and out of the boiler. Wait to see if any water accumulates around these areas. Make sure to check thoroughly. If you notice water at one of the joints, you can give it a half-turn to tighten it. Wait again to see if more water leaks out. If it doesn’t, then you are good to go. However, if this doesn’t solve the issue, then you’ll need to call a professional to come to inspect it.

3. Check for Damage to Seals or Boiler Body

Over time, the expanding and contracting of the boiler can cause damage to the body of the boiler. Seals can also harden and crack. All of this can lead to leakages. In older homes, this is much more common. For newer heaters, cracks and harmed seals can mean that the boiler is working under overpressure.

You’ll want to check along the body and seals and look for cracks and other damages. When you notice these, it’ll be time to change the boiler. If it’s a newer one, then you’ll need to look at the pressure gauge. If it is high, then a handyman is needed to help get it back to a more regulated pressure and repair the damage to the seals.

Different Reasons for a Boiler Leaking

Most boiler spills can be put down to the three mentioned reasons. However, there are other reasons that you may have water leaks. If you suspect it is something else, you’ll need to do further investigation. The best thing to do is to call in a professional, as boilers can be expensive, and taking too long to fix or address an issue can cause a more expensive repair or replacement costs. Other potential causes include:

• Corroded Heat Exchanger

• Sediment Buildup in Pressure Valve

• Leaks From Auto-Air Vent

• Damage to The Blowdown Valve

The reasons for boiler leaks can be simple or complex. The important thing is to have them checked out as soon as possible. There are cases where you can make repairs yourself. For the more complicated repairs, it’ll require specialized knowledge. You’ll want to be careful when considering doing DIY repairs. Water heaters are sensitive and you can be seriously harmed if you do the wrong thing. Make sure to turn off the water, allow the water inside to cool, and wear protective clothing. If in doubt, call a professional immediately.