Boiler Troubles of a Montana Winter
When the mercury falls, does your boiler start to be noisy? The system is on and yet you find the rooms cold in the morning? And on the year’s coldest night one can not help but wonder if the heat will give out.
You would be in good company with those concerns. Boilers put in long hours once winter has set in around Helena. We at Big Sky Plumbing & Heating have an idea of what a Montana winter puts a heating system through; we have been in the business of keeping our share of homes and businesses warm since 1985. Put in a call to (406) 443-0336 for a word with someone about your boiler.
The equipment takes a pounding here. A boiler will run almost without let up from October to April and that is where the wear shows. What follows are the sort of problems we come across when the weather turns and an explanation of the symptoms.
Cold Weather and the Boiler
In normal course a boiler works in cycles to get hot water to every part of the home or building. Yet with several days or weeks of low temperatures those cycles do not abate. Any small issue that was not apparent in milder times will make itself known under the strain. There are telltale signs to most of it for anyone who knows them.
What We See in Winter
Helena property owners are apt to encounter these in the cold season:
- Not enough heat or none at all. Our number one winter call. It could be a burner problem, a bad thermostat, a pump on its way out or simply low water pressure.
- Unusual sounds. If there is whistling, gurgling or banging, look to the heat exchanger for mineral deposits, low water or air in the system.
- Dripping and leaks. The cold makes metal contract and puts stress on joints and seals. You end up with a leak and the boiler will not function with the resulting loss of pressure.
- Pressure too low. The gauge will tell you and the boiler may shut down for safety. Often due to bleeding radiators or a leak.
- Kettling. A rumble like a kettle on the boil, typically from limescale or sludge in the exchanger holding in the heat.
- A condensate pipe that has frozen. Most newer models have a line to the exterior for water; in a Montana freeze it can go solid and the boiler will lock out.
- Ignition or pilot light issues. Should the boiler have trouble staying lit, check the thermocouple, the gas or the ignition parts.
A Word on the Condensate Pipe
We want to single this out as it happens all too often in a deep freeze. The pipe freezes, water has nowhere to go and the boiler will turn itself off to avoid being damaged. One hears a gurgle and then no heat. While the pipe can be thawed with care, it is better to let a pro have at the system and rule out any other trouble.
Time to Get a Professional Involved
One can deal with a tripped switch or see to the batteries in the thermostat. But a boiler is a combination of gas, electricity and pressurized water. In the heart of a Montana winter there is little room for error.
If the boiler is wont to shut off and will not restart, or you detect a burning smell or gas, or there is water about the unit, make the call to a licensed professional. The same if the pressure is erratic or there is persistent loud rumbling.
There is no point in putting off a boiler problem, it only gets costlier. That minor leak is going to need more than a patch and the whole system may decide to quit when you need it most.
For Heat All Winter Long
Troy Hedden, our owner and a master plumber of over 20 years, is at the helm of Big Sky Plumbing & Heating. We are a locally run operation in Helena, fully licensed and insured and carry an A rating from the BBB. Seniors can take 10% off some of our services.
Our doors are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am until 4:00pm. To have a professional put an eye on things before the next cold front or because your boiler is giving you grief, ring us at (406) 443-0336.