What is Boiler Maintenance?

Written on: November 7, 2022

Johnny Prescott helps keep your boiler running smoothly and efficiently!

Is your New Hampshire home heated by a boiler? If so, there are many advantages to it.

Boilers are closed-loop systems that use water to generate heat, and that heat is circulated around your home as water or steam. Water and steam can carry heat more effectively than forced-air heating, meaning the temperature is more consistent throughout your home. This kind of heat is also less drying for skin, furniture, and fabrics.

You may be wondering how to best take care of it so that it keeps running at its peak performance and energy efficiency. Johnny Prescott is here to help, with expert boiler maintenance, repair, and installation services. We also have some tips you can follow to make sure your boiler is running well when we’re not there.

The importance of boiler maintenance

Like your car, your boiler is a big investment. You wouldn’t drive your car for years without oil and filter changes, tire rotations, tune-ups, and other routine maintenance, would you? We hope not!

An annual boiler maintenance tune-up by the experienced, skilled service technicians at Johnny Prescott keeps your boiler operating well and at its best possible energy efficiency, saving you money on energy costs. We clean and lubricate parts, and also conduct a thorough inspection to detect and fix problems before they get worse. This helps to protect you from mid-winter breakdowns and potentially big repair bills.

Many boiler manufacturers include in their warranties a requirement for regular professional maintenance. Our tune-ups can help keep your boiler’s warranty in effect.

Boiler maintenance tasks you can do yourself

The actual tune-up for your boiler is not a do-it-yourself project, no matter how many online videos you watch. You likely do not have the training or tools to do the job right. Getting it wrong could end up costing you more than if you’d simply let Johnny Prescott do the job right the first time.

However, there are some things you can do throughout the year to help take care of your boiler and protect it from breakdowns. Here is a checklist for you.

Once a week:

• Inspect the floor around and under your boiler for puddles or wet spots that could indicate a boiler leak
• Check that there is at least three feet of clear space around your boiler and move objects any closer than that
• Take a few moments to listen to your boiler, paying attention for any strange noises or vibrations
• Check temperature and pressure readings to see if they are in the proper range
• Look at the display panel to see if there are any error codes and write them down for the service technician when you request service
• Go outside and make sure that the vent exhaust is not blocked with leaves, ice, snow, or other debris
• Inspect the combustion air opening to see if there are any blockages

Once a month:
In addition to the weekly inspection, do the following.

• Inspect the relief valve discharge pipe and boiler relief valve for dripping or weeping
• Check the combustion air piping and flue gas vent piping for leaks, damage, deterioration, or blockages
• If you have a condensing boiler, check for blockages in the condensate drain line, PVC fittings, drain system, and drain trap

If you haven’t yet scheduled your boiler maintenance, now is the time to do it! Contact Johnny Prescott today to make your appointment!