It is not unusual for us to get a call this time of year from a panicked homeowner who happened to find a puddle under their boiler. It is a cause for concern, and needs to be checked out, but it does not always mean your boiler needs to be replaced. A Park Slope plumbing expert offers several reasons why you might find some water on the floor under your boiler.
If it is just a few drips, the boiler may just be releasing pressure. It is designed to do this, so when the pressure reaches a certain point, a valve will open. This is a safety feature that prevents boilers from rupturing, but if you notice it frequently, the pressure might need to be adjusted.
Sometimes leaking water is the result of loose joints and fittings. The constant heating and cooling cycle can sometimes cause things to loosen up, causing water to leak at those points. Tightening these areas up or replacing with new parts typically takes care of this situation.
A more serious issue is damaged seals on your boiler. If you know where the seals are located, you might be able to see if the water is coming from that area. If this is the situation, it is usually a good idea to replace the seals and sometimes the boiler pump too. We can help you determine the extent of the repair.
In older boilers, corrosion or just the stress of prolonged use can cause corrosion or cracks in the tank or pipes. This situation is probably the most serious, and most homeowners wisely decide that replacement is a better option than repair. In most cases, a boiler of this age is on its last legs, and a homeowner will be better off financially having a new, energy-efficient model installed.
If you discover some water under your boiler, it can come from a variety of sources. Calling an experienced plumber who can diagnose the problem is the best course of action. For any boiler issues in the Park Slope, Brooklyn area, contact Aladdin Plumbing today.