Heating boiler repair questions & answers for no heat or loss of heat.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how to diagnose & repair a heating boiler (hot water heat) that is not working.

This article series explains the diagnosis and correction of no heat conditions for water or hydronic or hot water or radiator or baseboard hot water heating systems. We describe how to inspect, troubleshoot and repair heating and air conditioning systems to inform home owners, buyers, and home inspectors of common heating system defects.

Older Heating boiler diagnosis & repair FAQs

These Questions & answers about troubleshooting and fixing heating boilers were posted originally at BOILERS, HEATING - home

On 2014-04-13 by Diane Logsdon

I just looked at a home to buy that has hot water boiler heat. Don't know age but owners say they have always had it maintained since he is a plumber. Are we crazy to consider a house with this type of heating system. How energy efficient are they?

On 2014-03-20 by (mod) - we have a register at the end of the system that has blown from freezing

Linda,

Do you mean a cast iron radiator, cast iron baseboard, or steel convector or copper baseboard or what? Generally one would replace a cracked or burst heating component.

On 2014-03-20 by Linda

I have a hot water boiler furnace. we have a register at the end of the system that has blown from freezing. Can we repair the weld at the seam where it blew or does it have to be replaced? can we cut out the old register and seal the line where it ends just before the blown register? replacing the heat in that room with another source of course.

On 2014-03-18 by (mod) -

Yes Renny, and the system is particularly unsafe because of the added risk of Carbon Moxide detection. Be sure you have working CO detectors

On 2014-03-18 by Renny Scheuerman

I have a weil mclean gold propane boiler,19 ys old. Can a cracked heat exchanger CAUSE SOOT FROM THE BOILER?

On 2014-03-18 15:57:24.640850 by (mod) -

Mary from your message alone I can't guess at what's wrong but what you describe does not sound safe. If it were my system and there were sudden odors, smoke, or loud roaring noises (which could be a dangerous chimney fire) I would shut the system off and call the heating company for emergency service. If you suspected a chimney fire (look outside at the chimney top for dense smoke or flame) call the fire department and get out of the house.

On 2014-03-18 by Mary Rubin

My heating boiler had a pretty heavy burning smell for about 5 minutes when the
heat kicked on (we're in NY so its been on for the past 5 months).

My husband and I could
not find anything but now when the whole system kicks on and ignites it sounds like
we have an open blow tourch in our basement.

No smell anymore but frankly I am worried.
Our system is approximately 45 years old.

On 2014-03-04 by Anonymous

why would my peerless hot water oil fired burner make popping or expansion like sounds when heating up

On 2014-02-24 by (mod) -

Kirk

Where to start when there is no hot water depends on how your home makes hot water; and on whether you see no water flow at all or just cold water flow.

Search InspectApedia for this diagnostic article

Sudden Loss of Hot Water Pressure - Diagnosis, Repair

On 2014-02-24 by Kirk

I don't have any hot water, but the furnace is running and supplying heat to the rest of the home. Any ideas where to start?

On 2014-02-12 by (mod) -

Anon: uneven flame could be debris clogging, a blower assembly problem, or something else;

I think I'd want an experienced service tech to check the system. Keep us posted.

On 2014-02-12 by Anonymous

Have Burnham boiler. Model PV84WC-TBWN. Have changed filter and nozzle. It lights and runs but flame flutters durning cycle. Any suggestions. Thanks

On 2014-01-27 by (mod) -

Jim,

RE: "Aquastat tripping when an heat zone is satisfied at the set thermostat temp"

I don't quite understasnd. An aquastat "trip" to me means going off on safety reset. That condition is not caused by the thermostat but usually by a flame or burner operating problem - such as a bad flame.

On 2014-01-27 by Jim Hamilton

We have a 14 year old system that has performed very well over that time period. There are 3 zones served by a Raypack boiler. Main floor served by air handler with forced air hot water heat. Basement and garage served by in-floor heat.

Following failure of main circulation pump in 2013 and one system circulation pump recently elected to replace 2 remaining pumps. Garage floor system was partially drained in that process. Tech has bled air from system. We have been operating for 2 weeks with the Acquastat tripping when any heat zone is satisfied at set thermostat temp. Also boiler will only run if 2 zones called. Static water pressure is 12psi and operating pressure is approx. 30. Any thoughts?

On 2014-01-26 by (mod) -

I am re-posting the below after removing an external web page link (not permitted):

(Jan 2, 2013) staceybeck01 said:

Thanks for the advice! I've been needing someone who knows oilers in
Calgary to come take a look at mine but maybe I will give it a shot myself
and save a couple bucks! I appreciate you posting this.

On 2014-01-26 by (mod) -

Gwen, we would need to know a bit more about your heating system to even venture a wild arm-waving guess. Is this forced warm air, hot water heat, baseboards? radiators? Steam heat?

Depending on the type of heating system one would be looking for different problems. For example if your heat is forced hot water baseboards or radiators and you have heat on some floors but not others, I'd look for a stuck zone valve, a thermostat not working properly, or an air-bound heating zone.

But if the heat is forced warm air I'd look for closed registers, crimped or disconnected heating ducts, or a zone damper not working.

On 2014-01-26 by (mod) -

Sean, thanks for the kind note. We also welcome questions, critique, content suggestions. Daniel

On 2014-01-25 by gwen

what can I do to get the heat to rise up to the first floor because the heat is coming up in the basement

On 2013-02-07 by Sean Crawford

I think you have a great website for a trade person and those who would like to learn one ,I want to congratulate you ,keep it up.

On 2013-01-31 by issue

Can you overheat a boiler by having lots of stuff piled against the furnace during the winter (especially when it's really cold outside, at least 10F or less)? There was a fire in side the boiler and I noticed that a family member had put stuff against the boiler and left it there during winter.

Can this cause the boiler to overheat by essentially having too much stuff around and touching it? It seemed fairly stupid to put all that stuff there and I was hoping to get an honest, unbiased answer. Thanks

On 2013-01-24 by Joel

Our boiler is firing and heating up but the room temperatures upstairs is a constant 62 degrees. We changed the thermostat, bled the radiators and removed any air, and they had hot water and we also made sure the psi was correct but still not able to get room temperatures above 62. Any ideas what might be causing this?? Thanks

On 2013-01-13 by Alex H

Can someone explain why closed circuit hydronic heat systems require an "always-on" tie in to the domestic water system? I understand there is a check valve preventing back flow, and a pressure regulator to ensure the domestic water doesn't put too much pressure into the closed circuit system. However, I don't understand why a closed circuit system would ever require water to be added, except for when manually drained.

On 2012-12-18 21:35:43.207622 by Rhonda Berger

Our boiler intermittently shoots out flames upon ignition of the natural gas. We have had it inspected numerous times and the technician packs a cement into the area as a repair. It continues to do this though. We hear a loud boom at times when it is igniting. NOT a good sound.

On 2012-11-28 00:53:01.458741 by (mod) -

Lyle,

Before even considering a heating system complete redesign and swapout of both the heating plant and distribution, I'd be sure to get ALL of the costs involved.

You can encapsulate asbestos on heating pipes and leave it in place regardless of going to a completely different heating system.

On 2012-11-28 00:51:01.841390 by (mod) -

Frank,
If you're trained or an electrical engineer, you could probably figure out how to swap in the "wrong" gas valve on a heater and make it work - but I'd not be willing to swap parts around; The manufacturer of your boiler chose a control and matched its properties to all of the rest of the fuel and combustion and safety components - you're voiding warranty and perhaps making the system unsafe.

Maybe if you explain what's making you ask, we might have a different suggestion.

On 2012-11-27 20:40:25.251345 by Frank Ammendolea

To Whom It May Concern
I have a gas steam boiler in my home.
My question is could i remove my gas valve and replace it with a millivolt gas valve.
i Appreciate any information you could give me
Thank you
Frank

On 2012-11-25 21:53:31.955357 by Lyle Bren

We are looking at repairing an old water boiler system or replacing it with a forced air. Added to the problem is that all the water pipes have asbestos wraps so we have an abatement problem as well. This a very old converted system that leaks and the water tanks leak so the whole system needs to be replaced. We also are looking at "mudding in" doing something else to deal with the asbestose. The radiators have not leaked yet but they are cast iron and old. Our concern is if we will have a plugging problem with the switch to a circulating pump from a gravity system d/t sludge and if leaks will show up when the pump runs and moves the old sludge. If it leaks somewhere after we have spent the money to cover the asbestose we have that loss of investement. Of course we need the pipes removed and duct work put in if we go the other way. So far the the costs appear to be expensive and close.Is there any advice you can give to us?

On 2012-11-20 05:05:49.793749 by (mod) -

Jane,

Sounds as if you have an indirect fired water heater that is heated by your boiler. As the hot water heater can turn on the heating boiler, that suggests the problem is with your room thermostat, thermostat wiring, or primary control.

I'd try disconnecting the thermostat wires and jumping the thermostat terminals at the control.

On 2012-11-19 06:40:35.665551 by Jane

our heating- (gas fired boiler with hot water radiators) won't come on unless the hot water is on as well. Thermastat is above room temp. can you help please?

On 2012-11-09 22:16:02.552721 by (mod) -

Donna,
Most likely the swap in you suggest is not economical, as radiators, controls, even distribution piping all are likely to need changes to convert from hot water heat to steam heat. But depending on the steam boiler itself, its condition, type, and other factors it MIGHT be that you'd consider converting the steamboiler itself to hot water.

But I'im afraid that labor costs and new parts costs could at the end make you wish you'd just ordered a new hot water (hydronic) boiler instead.

On 2012-11-07 15:23:54.453580 by Donna

I currently have a an oil hot water furnace. A friend has a steam furnace she's getting rid of. Can my hot water furnace be replaced with her steam furnace?

On 2012-10-28 04:07:30.249073 by (mod) -

Bonnie

P.s.

See our antifreeze article link at the top of thisvarticle

On 2012-10-28 04:06:11.672401 by (mod) -

Bonnie,

Yes it's all the same water- antifreeze mix. It circulates from boiler through piping and baseboards Nd back to the boiler.

I'm unclear why if a proper antifreeze mix was installed you'd need to drain the baseboards.

On 2012-10-28 by Bonnie

I just had antifreeze added to my hot water heat system so I wouldn't have to drain the system when traveling south in the winter. After the furnace man left, his uncle, a friend of mine, told me I still needed to drain the baseboard "radiator" pipes and remove the backflow preventer for the winter; that his nephew had just added antifreeze to the boiler, not the pipes.

Isn't the water in the boiler the same water that is in the pipes? I don't understand. Please explain. Times like this I really miss my dear husband who passed away in April. Thank you for your help.

On 2011-07-30 by PIYUSH

NICE

...

Continue reading at DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see BOILER REPAIR FAQs-4 - more recently posted questions and answers about how to diagnose and fix problems with hot water heating boilers.

Or see this

Article Series Contents

• BOILERS, HEATING
• BOILER OPERATING PROBLEMS
• DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER
• OIL BURNER INSPECTION & REPAIR.
• GAS BURNER FLAME & NOISE DEFECTS
• GAS BURNER SOOT CAUSE & CURE
• GAS BURNER PILOT LIGHT PROCEDURE
• RADIATORS for ROOM HEAT - topic home, for cold radiator or baseboard diagnosis and repair

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BOILER REPAIR FAQs-3 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to HEATING BOILERS

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