Rust and Your Boiler

Boilers can make great heating systems for residential homes. Because boilers have few mechanical parts, they are relatively durable and don't break down too often. One of the few problems that you have to worry about when you rely on a boiler to heat your home is rust. Because boilers do circulate water, they are susceptible to rust.

Here are three things that you can do to help ensure that rust doesn't become a significant problem for your boiler in the future.

1. Regularly check the condition of your boiler's sacrificial rod.

If you look closely at the top of your boiler's water tank, you will see a rod made from iron. This rod is known as a sacrificial rod because its primary duty is to rust away before your tank, effectively sacrificing itself to protect your boiler from damage.

You need to make sure that you are regularly checking the condition of the sacrificial rod if you want to control rust within your boiler system. As the rod is corroded away, you should replace it with a fresh one to prevent rust from finding its way into your boiler's water tank.

2. Remove any rust from your tank immediately.

Rust acts as an insulator so, when your boiler's water tank begins to rust, the temperature of the water inside can climb. This causes the boiler to overheat and could result in the need for a total system replacement.

As soon as you see any visible signs of rust on your boiler's tank, contact a repair professional. Minor rust can be removed by these professionals and the formation of new rust can be controlled before it spreads throughout your tank and causes significant damage.

3. Regularly clean your boiler's tank.

Draining your boiler's water tank and cleaning away any organic material that has started to accumulate on the interior walls of the tank can be beneficial in preventing the formation of rust. A clean tank is less likely to oxidize, making conditions unfavorable for rust.

Be sure that you are taking the time to regularly empty your boiler's water tank and clean it out. A repair professional like those at Rickett Industrial Environmental Systems can give you advice and assistance for cleaning your tank.

Caring for your your boiler system and guarding against the formation of rust will help you extend the life of your home's heating equipment. Be sure to keep a fresh sacrificial rod, have minor rust removed by a professional, and regularly clean your boiler's tank to keep your heating system in top shape.

Share