It's Almost Boiler Season: Time for a Primer

The heating season is right around the corner. The time is now to finish those insulation projects you started and seal or replace drafty windows and door frames. Cool weather comes quickly and unexpectedly so know how to start your boiler and learn the warning signs of potential problems with a quick visual inspection that you can do at any time.

Raise a heating thermostat and go to the boiler. Take a look at the floor around it. Is there any moisture on the ground? If so, try to determine if it is from water or oil. Most oil line repairs should be done by your supplier’s service technicians and the system should be fired and bled, as necessary, after the repair is made. Water leaks are often best handled by a qualified plumbing or plumbing and heating company and your oil or gas supplier may require you to call one of your choosing, so long as they are properly licensed.

Look around your boiler for rust. It’s true that some degree of rust is normal considering a boiler is a big chunk of metal sitting in a damp cellar, but anything that stands out is probably not normal. Rust on the sides of a boiler or on piping is usually a sign of a slow water leak. Rust on top of a boiler or anywhere near the flue piping is often a sign of inadequate venting. Either way, it may be worth a second look or at least a watchful eye over the next couple of weeks before service and repair companies get slammed with start-up calls in October.

Listen for any pumps or motors that may sound strained or rattling excessively. They may require repair or replacement… or a simple drop or two of oil. This is something you can easily do yourself. At a good plumbing supply store in your area, ask for a container of circulator oil. It should cost less than ten dollars and last for the rest of the life of your home. Pumps and motors that require field-lubricating only need two or three drops of oil per season in use. No home should be without pump oil. While we’re at it, heed this warning: DO NOT USE 3-in-1! General purpose oil is too thin and adding even a small amount will contaminate the good oil that’s in the pump and guarantee system failure. Using the wrong oil is NOT always better than using no oil.

If you smell gas around the boiler, turn off the power switch and open a door or window nearby. You’ve got a decision to make here: If you feel the odor of natural gas is strong and that danger is imminent call your gas supplier and follow the telephone prompts to report an emergency. More than likely, Keyspan will turn off and lock your gas service at that point. That is the single safest course of action and that’s why it is done. It will take a licensed plumber to make all necessary repairs and some filing and permit fees to bring the system into compliance and reactivate the service. Expect this process to take at least several days to complete. You could also decide to call a licensed plumber and have the repairs made without having the utility or building department intervene. If you’re going to do this, get a confirmation from a reputable plumbing company that they will dispatch a repair technician immediately.

— John Cataneo, President of Gateway Plumbing