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Snap. Crackle. Pop.
These are all noises that, while fun to say, should never be coming out of your boiler!
If your old boiler is beginning to make some weird noises, it’s time to investigate before significant repairs may be necessary. In this post, we’ll tell you about the most common noises that old boilers make, and what to do in each situation.
Listen to the Rumbling
One of the most common noises that come from an old boiler is a rumbling sound. Rumbling noises are most often caused by kettling. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, kettling refers to the restriction in boiler pipe flow caused as a result of the buildup of mineral deposits over time.
The water that flows into your boulder is sourced from the same water mains that control faucet flow in your house. If you’ve ever seen the inside of a shower nozzle or sink faucet, then you can see the buildup that occurs. The same exact thing happens with your boiler.
The water from your county’s water department, although pure enough to drink, still contains various minerals and suspended particles. As time goes on, the material that pipes are made to attract these minerals and suspended particles in a way that causes them to un-dissolve from the water and onto the pipe.
If the buildup becomes significant enough, it can restrict water flow into and out of the boiler. This can cause pressure buildup, which can cause serious damage to the boiler if not taken care of immediately. The boiler costs associated with that damage will have you asking the question, “how much is a new boiler?”
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Check out the Gurgling
If you hear gurgling in your boiler pipes, this is another very common issue, though probably not as serious as the rumbling you here. Gurgling is typically caused as a result of air bubbles throughout the pipe flow.
These air bubbles are created whenever uneven heating is present throughout the house. The temperature differences across the piping result in pressure differences that create vacuums that air bubbles occupy. To fix this, all you need to do is drain all of the air out of the system, though that in itself is not a simple process.
Call in a Professional
Ultimately, calling in a professional to deal with your old boiler is always the safest bet. Unless you’re a seasoned professional with significant boiler repair and home piping experience, it will take you hours longer to diagnose and fix issues, and time is money. Moreover, you could easily damage the boiler further if you don’t know what you’re doing.
A professional will be able to quickly and efficiently fix any issues, and also provide you with an opinion and estimated costs if you need to replace the entire unit.
Repair Your Old Boiler Before It’s Too Late
Whether you choose to go the DIY route or call in a seasoned professional, the one thing we know for sure is that you can’t let your old boiler problems go unattended! Make sure to take care of whatever repairs are necessary as soon as you hear it making any weird noises.
For more home improvement advice, make sure to check out the rest of the articles on our website!
