Many homes feature a boiler at the heart of their heating system. When your boiler malfunctions or breaks down, you may find yourself in a tough spot without heat or hot water. Certain problems are common even among different models of residential boilers. This guide will introduce you to two common boiler problems.

1. A Faulty Diverter Valve

Homes with combination boilers rely on the boiler for both hot water and heating. In heating mode, the boiler circulates hot water through the home's radiators. When hot water is needed, the diverter valve closes and routes water from the boiler to the tap or fixture in use.

Wear and tear can cause the diverter valve to become stuck in one position or in between positions. A partially open valve may lead to lukewarm water from your taps. A stuck valve can result in no hot water or heating at all, depending on the position of the valve. The diverter valve is contained inside a cartridge that your boiler repair technician can easily replace for you.

2. A Leaking Pressure Relief Valve

Your boiler must withstand very high temperatures and pressure to provide your home with heated water. Leaks can occur when a seal or valve fails due to the pressurized water and steam inside the system. If you notice water on the floor around your boiler, you should shut off your boiler to prevent further leaks and water damage.

The pressure relief valve is a key component in managing high pressure inside your boiler. This valve slowly releases water to reduce the overall pressure level inside the boiler. Excessive dripping or a continuous stream of water from the pressure relief valve could indicate that the valve is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Excess water from the pressure relief valve could also be a sign that the pressure in the system is too high. You can check the pressure gauge on your boiler to see if the pressure is nearing unsafe levels. The pressure gauge should read between 1 and 1.5 bars when the system is cool. If the gauge displays a higher reading, call a technician to inspect the system and bleed your radiators if necessary.

The most common boiler problems are simple and routine for trained boiler repair technicians to solve. If you're experiencing any of the issues mentioned above, call a professional boiler repair service to handle the problem safely and correctly.

Contact a local boiler repair service to learn more.