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4 Signs Your Boiler is About to Fail

Home boiler in need of repair

Winter is here, and no one wants to wake up to a broken boiler. When the temperature drops, an inefficient boiler can lead to more than just a cold home — you may also experience frozen and burst pipes, or even gas leaks.

Fortunately, by knowing what to look out for before a boiler breaks down, you can solve the problem before it gets worse.

Indicators Your Boiler is Breaking Down

1. Your Boiler Sounds Strange

Your boiler should make a small humming noise or no noise at all. If you hear anything that sounds like knocking, hissing, or gurgling, your boiler is in trouble.

Noises mean your boiler will fail soon and you should call a professional to inspect it.

2. Your Heating Bill is Suddenly Much Higher

No one wants to have to pay more than they should for energy. If you notice your energy bill is more expensive than usual, but your usage is the same, it’s time to check your boiler.

Boilers on the brink of failure use more energy because they have to work harder to produce heat for your home and water. It’s significantly harder for your boiler to produce heat in the winter if it’s broken, which will cost you more money in the long run.

3. It Has a Strange Smell

Gas companies add chemicals to natural gas that produce a foul smell, like rotting eggs, so that a gas leak is noticeable. A gas leak is hazardous and causes dizziness, headaches, difficulty breathing, and, in the worst-case scenario, death.

If you begin to smell gas, evacuate your home and call 911 right away. Once the immediate threat is controlled, reach out to your gas company.

4. You Have A Leak

Water, oil, and hydronic fluid can all leak from your boiler and cause extra moisture inside. It would help if you always watched for signs of a boiler leak, like rust-colored rings, oil patches, or mold.

A professional can quickly fix this issue by checking the unit for leaks and repairing loose or faulty piping. If the problems are more significant than faulty piping, a plumber will check the tubing inside the boiler for failures and fix it before you need a full replacement.

Contact VP's Plumbing, Heating & Air for a Boiler Repair

Winters in New York are harsh, and no one wants to try to get through them without heat. At VP's Plumbing, Heating & Air, we have 30 years of experience providing quality boiler repair and replacement services in Westchester County. Call (914) 506-5752 to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled professionals.