Burst Boiler – A Plumbing Emergency

It’s a well known story, a boiler bursts, spewing hot water into the basement, and depriving the home, school, or public institution of hot water. School may close or a house may be crippled by a flooded basement. While ti is well known that a boiler may burst and lead to a flood of hot water, it can also cause a carbon monoxide leak or even explode. A carbon monoxide leak could prove fatal to a household as the gas is odorless, tasteless and colorless causing people to pass out and not realize they are being poisoned.
While burst boilers can occur suddenly, they frequently develop over long periods of time, with a gradual increase in signs portending the ultimate disaster. Frequently the initial indication that something is wrong is a water leak at the base of the boiler. This is a strong indication that the boiler is starting to rot out.

Another potential symptom of boiler trouble is boiler noises. Boiler noises result from the changes in confined water that take place due to the rise and fall of the temperature, around the boiling point, and the change in flow patterns within the boiler. Boiler noises are almost always associated with lime or sludge iron deposits on the inside of the boiler. These deposits cause an uneven distribution of water within the tank. Water trapped in deposits close to the heat exchange area may heat up rapidly causing a hissing noise and vibration. When this overheated water reenters the circulation, it rapidly condenses, and causes a knocking noise.
[spin}Another cause of boiler noise, is a drop in the rate of circulation inside the tank. Slow circulation may cause water to remain in contact with the heat exchange surface too long, leading to overheating, and the production of boiler noise, as described above. |If the circulation in a boiler drops, then water will remains in contact with the heat exchange surface longer than it should and may heat up to a very high temperature, causing noises as described above. Another well-known cause of boiler noise is air blisters caused by air sucked up into the boiler ciruculation through a faulty radiator.
When the trapped air contacts the heat exchange surface of the boiler, it displaces the water which normally absorbs the heat, and there can be a sudden rise in temperature. Water within the boiler will suddenly turn to gas and subsequently condense, and both changes are associated with boiler noises. A similar effect can occur when a boiler suddenly shuts down. Standing water is now in contact with the heat exchange surface, which is still quite hot, and this result in a sudden rise in the local water temperature, with resultant noise. Increased temperature in a boiler also enhances the precipitation of lime and sludge on the inner surface of the water tank, aggravating the problem. The cycle of overheating when the boiler shuts down, can occur over and over again in the lifetime of a boiler with inadequate safety mechanisms. This can foreshorten the life of the boiler, predisposing it to leak or rupture. A normal healthy boiler has sufficient circulation and adequate temperature control to prevent the conditions that lead to the onset of boiler noises. Significantly, most modern boilers, in the name of space saving and economy have much smaller heat exchange surfaces. Therefore, to prevent damage, the modern boiler must have:
• Total absence of even the slightest deposit of any kind..
• Good or high velocity of water through the heat exchanger.
• Complete avoidance of air blisters passing through the boiler.

If your boiler makes noises or has begun to leak at the bottom, you should have it checked out by an engineer or boiler technician. | Don't wait until disaster strikes. If you see signs of aging or corrosion in your boiler call an engineer or boiler technician.
And protect your boiler with regular Boiler, maintenance, boiler cleaning and maintenance
If your boiler does rupture, than you have a plumbing emergency. Immediately shut off the values supplying water to your boiler, and call a plumber.{/spin]
Boiler, maintenance, boiler cleaning and maintenance is available 24/7. We service Baltimore, Maryland, Baltimore County, Ann Arundel County, Harford County, and surrounding cities.
We are experienced in servicing boiler emergencies if you are in our service area, we will dispatch a licensed plumbing specialist to your home right away.

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