Boilers are have extended lifespans, at least compared to other home heating systems. There are a number of reasons for this longevity, primarily because boilers have fewer moving parts and therefore fewer ways to develop problems than other heaters. There are still plenty of issues that can harm boilers, though, one of which is kettling. Read on for more information about what kettling is, how it harms your system, and what to do about it.
The Cause of Kettling
Kettling is caused by hard water, which is water that has a very high magnesium and calcium content. As hard water flows through your boiler’s heat exchanger, it deposits these minerals on the walls of the pipe. Over time, these minerals build up into lime scale deposits that restrict the flow of water through the heat exchanger. Being trapped in the heat exchanger for longer than it should causes the water to evaporate into steam. When water evaporates into steam, it expands many times over. This places immense pressure on the walls of the heat exchanger. This causes a deep rumbling sound, which is the first warning sign that most homeowners notice.
The Effects of Kettling
The boiler heat exchanger is not designed to handle the level of pressure that steam puts on the system. If the kettling is not fixed in time, the heat exchanger can actually rupture, causing a massive amount of water damage to the surrounding area and making the boiler inoperable until you repair it. This is why you should call for repairs as soon as you notice your boiler kettling. If we scrape out the lime scale, we can restore the heat exchanger to normal working order.
If your boiler is kettling, call Rentmeister Total Home Service. We serve all of Kaysville and Layton UT.