diy boiler

How to DIY Boiler Maintenance

Introduction

Boilers generally last for many years and often do not require too much maintenance. They do need to be looked, at least annually, to be sure that the boiler is still working well and safely. Boilers that are not kept up with are extremely hazardous. Most professionals will recommend that you do not try to do boiler maintenance yourself. However, there are a number of things that you can easily do to keep your boiler in good working order.

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need:

- Carbon monoxide detector

Instructions

Step 1

Install a carbon monoxide detector near your boiler. This pretty inexpensive unit will alert you if your boiler is leaking. Follow the installation instructions that come with the detector.

Step 2

Keep a close eye on your boiler’s pressure. The pressure gauge can usually be found on the side of the boiler. Small boilers’ pressure should be about 12-15 pounds.

Step 3

Release pressure from boilers’ whose gauges measure above normal pressure. Turn the release valve to remove pressure. If you twist the valve and the pressure rises back up right away, call a professional.

Step 4

Clean your boiler room often. Dust can cause overheating by clogging up the boiler fan. Dust in the pilot light area can cause fires and gas leaks.

Step 5

Hire a technician to check your boiler once a year. They are trained to make sure that your boiler is in good working condition. They check that your boiler is set up correctly and that there are no clogged pipes or gas leaks.

Tip

Tenants are not responsible for checking their boilers so if you have a landlord, don’t worry about boiler maintenance.

Warning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is very dangerous so be careful when taking care of boiler maintenance yourself.