Residential water heater boilers are the preferred option for indoor heating since they are unobtrusive and quiet. Most people ignore small boiler noises and only know they have an issue in winter when the sounds become too loud after a boiler’s summer inactivity.
The common types of abnormal boiler noises include humming, gurgling, whistling, tapping, vibrating and banging. Though some boiler issues can be handled without expert help, sounds emanating from your boiler while in operation calls for an expert’s solution.
The ideal solution a plumber will have for your Salt Lake City home’s boiler depends on its cause. The plumber will hence carry out various tests and a visual inspection before recommending the ideal intervention to get your boiler operating quietly once again.
The following are some tidbits on the solutions to common causes of boiler noises.
Limescale Accumulation
This is the most common cause of a loud banging noise in places with hard water and no water softening solution in place. The limescale will cause the production of steam bubbles from your boiler. The sound caused by limescale buildup emanates from the hot spots caused by the limescale in different parts of your boiler.
If this is the reason for the noise in your boiler, a plumber will first flush your boiler then add a chemical descaler in the expansion tank. They will then close it down for a few days then drain, flush and refill your boiler. Installing a water softener will avert future boiler malfunction.
Insufficient Water Flow
Reduced water flow is also a common cause of boiler noises. The inadequate flow of water through the boiler can be caused by a malfunctioning valve or a size mismatch between your boiler and the circulating pump.
A circulating pump which is too small will decrease the rate and quantity of water flow through your boiler, and this results in a kettling noise. Fixing your valve and installing a circulating pump which matches your boiler’s size are some of the standard solutions for this cause of boiler noises.
System Flaws
The excessive use of the boiler or extremely high-temperature settings caused by broken thermostats causes its overheating. An incorrect pipe size will increase the water temperatures too high and allow accumulation of contaminants, which cause foaming and reduce the contact between the boiler’s tubes and water. These common system flaws can be corrected by repairing the thermostat or installing new pipes.
Deposits in the Boilers
Deposits from dirty water, debris, and corrosion can cause complete or partial insulation of your boiler’s heat exchanger. The deposits generally produce a kettling noise. If this is the issue in your boiler, the plumber will recommend its flushing and the installation of filters to prevent the entry of contaminants into your boiler.
You cannot do without a boiler in your property in cold weather and yet the noise caused by the issues mentioned above will get on your last nerve. To guarantee you do not contend with cold interiors or unbearable sounds, get your boiler routinely checked. This way, the above issues will be averted before they cause the complete breakdown of your boiler.