October 18, 2022

9 Boiler Maintenance Tips


A mother and child warming their feet on a home radiator.

Your boiler is a vital part of your home’s heating system. It warms the water that travels through your radiator system to heat your home. With proper annual boiler maintenance, yours should keep you warm for 15-20 years. 

Are you keeping up with your home boiler maintenance? There are steps you should take annually to ensure that your boiler continues to work efficiently and that your home stays warm during frosty Colorado winters. Below is our boiler maintenance checklist to keep yours in peak condition. Be sure to check out the home boiler video at the end as well.

1. Check for Leaks

Make checks a regular part of your routine so that you notice issues as soon as they happen. You don’t want to discover a boiler leak only after your basement floods. A leaky boiler can be a sign that yours is reaching the end of its lifespan. Make sure all valves are tight and connections secure.

2. Bleed Radiators

Air in your hot water system reduces the heat you get from your radiators. It forces your boiler to work harder and consume more fuel. At the beginning of every heating season, walk through your home and open the air bleed valve on each radiator to let the air out. Don’t forget to use a bucket to catch the water that comes out once the air escapes.

3. Check and Clear Flue Vent Openings

Flue vents are vital for removing the byproducts of combustion. Blockages can cause dangerous carbon monoxide to enter your home, putting your family at risk. A clear vent also ensures that your boiler is working at maximum efficiency.

4. Clear Space Around Your Boiler

Boilers need air for the combustion process. If there isn’t enough, incomplete combustion will occur, creating increased levels of carbon monoxide. Keep your boiler room clear, paying close attention to the area around the boiler itself. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for clearances.

5. Check  Color of Your Boiler’s Flame

Your boiler’s flame should be a clean blue color. If it’s yellow or smoky, your burner system is malfunctioning and needs immediate attention. Delaying this repair can  result in a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

6. Check the Water Level in Your Boiler

Your home boiler system needs a sufficient amount of water to reach all the radiators in your home. Fill your boiler at the start of the season and check it periodically. If you need help locating your fill valve, we’re happy to help. When water levels drop too low, your boiler can become damaged, which in turn can cause a fire and put you and your family at risk. Because of this safety issue, maintaining proper water levels is a critical maintenance item.

7. Have Your Boiler Flushed or Descaled

Scale buildup will compromise your boiler’s heating performance. Keep your boiler working at maximum efficiency by keeping it clean. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to flush your boiler annually.

A boiler pressure gauge shows normal pressure.

8. Check Boiler Pressure

Your boiler pressure gauge should give a reading that’s within the manufacturer’s range. If it drops too low, your boiler may not be able to function. If it is too high, your distribution system can become damaged. If you are unsure how to modify your boiler temperature, our technicians can help.

9. Get an Annual Boiler Check Up

Having an annual cleaning and inspection from a licensed professional is the best way to keep your boiler in tip-top shape. A pro from Applewood can check your boiler’s heat exchange, flame sensor, ignitor, burner assembly and other vital components to make sure everything is working in sync. Watch our boiler maintenance video to learn more:

Home Heating Boiler Repair and Maintenance

If you live in the Denver, Boulder, Longmont area, call Applewood for your annual boiler check up. Our team of experienced professionals have been serving area families like yours for over forty years. We know home heating systems and we believe in taking care of our neighbors. Schedule your boiler maintenance today

Call  303-328-3060

Schedule Now