Hot Water Furnace Problems

Pressure

• Air can leak into the boiler tank and water levels can change over time. This air not only displaces air but also alters the way the the water is heated and can cause damage to the tank itself. This is why boilers have safety valves and release valves. If you have a pressure-relief valve on the top of your tank, you can open it up to release pent-up in the tank until the valve flows with water. This valve might open automatically in case of tank emergencies.

Leaks

• Boiler leaks occur because of cracks in the pipes leading to and from the tank. The boiler tank itself rarely experiences serious cracking issues, so if you find water on the floor check the pipes and their connections to the boiler first. If the pipes appear to secure, the problem might be connected with the tank itself or with a temporary overflow from the pressure-relief valve.

Electrical Issues

• Boilers are not immune to electrical problems. Failed fuses, switches and circuit breakers will all prevent a boiler from turning on. Another common issue is failed sensors that are placed on the tank to sense the temperature at different levels. These sensors can develop faulty wiring or become detached, so the heater cannot properly sense water temperature.

Common Maintenance Issues

• Never forget common maintenance issues that can create problems for your boiler. Dirt and stains can interfere with the operation of the heat exchanger and prevent the boiler from heating water efficiently. Accidents can result in turning off the manual power switch to the boiler, or moving the high-limit heat controls so that water does not reach the required temperature before the boiler shuts down.