How to Clean Soot From a Hot Water Boiler

Soot can occur wherever there is an open flame.

A hot water boiler uses a flame powered by natural gas to raise the temperature of the water stored in the tank. This allows you to have access to warm water for showers, personal hygiene and cooking. Since you typically keep hot water boilers in the basement or an area of our home rarely visited, soot can slowly buildup on the boiler creating an unpleasant odor as well as a potential safety hazard. That is why it is important to examine your hot water boiler regularly and remove any soot.

Things You'll Need

• Buckets (2)
• Liquid dish soap
• Spoon
• Sponge
• Cloths
• Towel

Instructions

1. Shut the gas to the hot water boiler off. Let the boiler cool before continuing. Fill a bucket with 1-gallon of warm water and 1/4 tsp. grease-cutting dish soap. Mix the contents together with a spoon. Fill a second bucket with cool water.

2. Saturate a sponge in the mixture and wring out the excess liquid. Scrub the hot water boiler with the saturated sponge. Start at the top and scrub while working downward.

3. Rinse the sponge clean in the bucket filled with water when it becomes soiled. Submerge the sponge back into the mixture and continue scrubbing the hot water boiler until you have removed the soot.

4. Rinse the boiler clean with a cloth dampened in cool water and wipe dry with a towel.

5. Turn the gas back on and light the boiler's pilot light following the instructions for your specific brand of hot water boiler.

References

• HVAC Mechanical Contracting: Boilers and Safety
• Dubios: Boiler Inspection, Cleaning, Storage and Treatment Program
• Water Heater Rescue: Soot Issues