How to Maintain Your Home Heating Boiler

Boilers provide steam heat to radiators.

"Boiler" systems as a home heating method are a dying breed, but you can still find them in some houses. A boiler system works by heating water that is then directed through a series of pipes to radiators, convectors or tubes, delivering warm air throughout the house. Regular maintenance of a boiler system ensures its efficiency. Much of that maintenance can be done by the homeowner, without calling in professional help.

Things You'll Need

• Water hose
• Special key, screwdriver or wrench
• Pail

Instructions

1. Locate the safety valve on top of the boiler. This valve allows steam to escape whenever the pressure in the boiler exceeds levels that are considered safe. Test the valve at least once a month by depressing the handle while you stand clear of the valve pipe. Replace this valve if testing it results in no release of steam.

2. Tap the steam pressure gauge with your fingers to ensure that it is not stuck. The fixed pointer on the gauge sets the reference point for the boiler's water level. The moving pointer gives a reading of the current water level. These pointers should align when the water is cold. Drain water from the expansion tank if the moving pointer gives a higher reading. Add water through the inlet valve until the pointers are aligned if the moving pointer is at a level below the reference point.

3. Turn off the power and the water supply to the boiler. Allow the water in the tank to cool. Attach a water hose to the combination valve on the bottom of the tank and open the valve. Allow water to flow out of the tank until the pointers on the pressure gauge align. Close the valve, restore power and turn the water supply back on.

4. Use a special key to open the air valve so you can bleed the convectors. If your boiler isn't equipped with a special key, use a screwdriver or a wrench to open the valve. Once water begins to shoot out, close the valve. Use extreme caution when bleeding the convectors because the water shooting out may be very hot.

5. Inspect the water regularly to see it is looks dirty. When this occurs, open the drain valve on the low-water cutoff. Place a pail beneath the valve and drain the water until it fills the pail. Use caution as this water is very hot. Refill the boiler to the proper level. Add a boiler-cleaning compound if the water continues to look dirty by removing the safety valve and pouring in the compound according to the directions on the package.

References

• Bostonstandardplumbing.com: Draining Your Boiler
• "Complete Home Improvement and Repair;" Don Vandervort, Ed.; 2000
• "How to Do Just About Anything;" Sally French, Ed.; 1986