Boilers play a crucial role in keeping you and your family comfortable during the cold season. But when these appliances start showing signs of malfunctioning, life during winter can be challenging. For this reason, it is important that you are aware of some common signs that may be warning you to an issue with your boiler.
Have you noticed any whistling sounds coming from your boiler? This could be kettling. Kettling indicates a serious issue that needs to be examined by experts in heating repair in Germantown, MD.
Here are some important details you need to know about kettling in a boiler.
What Is Kettling?
Kettling is the whistling or deep rumbling sound your boiler produces when excess limescale builds up in the tank. It is mainly caused by hard water, a major problem affecting most areas in Germantown.
Hard water contains a high concentration of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, which slowly form in your boiler. Once these deposits become too much, the water flow in the boiler heat exchanger is affected.
When the water in your boiler has nowhere to go, it transforms into steam, making the pressure inside the tank to rise. The roaring or kettling sound you hear from your boiler results from this pressure build-up. If you don’t contact a certified heating repair technician expert on time, the kettling may damage your boiler permanently.
Problems That Boiler Kettling Can Cause
Boiler kettling isn’t necessarily life-threatening, but it can cause problems ranging from uncomfortable to disastrous if left unchecked. Here are some severe issues that boiler kettling can cause.
Damage to the Heat Exchanger
Heat exchangers are critical for your boiler. They transfer heat from the gas jets to the hot water tank. So, you certainly don’t want to put yourself in a position where repairs are necessary, or you have no hot water altogether.
Stress on Other Parts
While pipes and other parts of your boiler are designed to handle a certain amount of pressure, putting too much through them can cause them to bulge or otherwise buckle. This can lead to small leaks and, eventually, broken pipes. Stress on other parts of your boiler can also reduce the lifespan of your appliance.
High Utility Bills
This might seem obvious, but a kettling boiler uses more energy, resulting in a rise in your utility bills. This is money and resources you would rather spend on other essential things.
Expensive Repairs
Even minor damage to your boiler can lead to expensive repairs if not handled quickly. By kettling, you run a risk of creating holes in your boiler and pipes, causing them to leak. These leaks may be hard to notice at first, causing you to spend thousands on repairs before realizing it’s an issue.
Contact an Expert to Fix Your Kettling Boiler
The best way to avoid issues with your boiler is to keep an eye on it and have one of our heating repair experts regularly come for inspection and maintenance.
If you notice any strange sound coming from your boiler, contact our team today. At Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, we pledge to exceed expectations at every turn.