Boiler Maintenance Checklist for a Stress-Free 2024

28 May 2024

Boiler maintenance is something that everyone should be considering on a regular basis to ensure that any issues are discovered early and can be fixed before any catastrophic failings can occur. Below, we have included a checklist of all of the ways you can perform maintenance on your boiler at varying times throughout the year. If you’re experiencing problems with your boiler, we recommend calling our specialist team to help diagnose and sort the problem safely and efficiently – leaving little to no downtime for you or your household. Continue reading to discover the boiler maintenance checklist to keep you stress-free this year.

What Are the Main Components of a Boiler?

Your boiler has many components to keep it safe and reliable in your home. This is why boiler maintenance is so important. These components include:

Piping

There are two main pipes in your boiler; the flow pipe, which has the important task of carrying hot water from the boiler to radiators, hot water outlets (such as showers or taps) and underfloor heating systems, and the return pipe, which carries cold water from these outlets back to the boiler. With arguably one of the most important jobs, the pipes can be subject to the stress of constant use. This is due to the pressures and extreme heat.

Drum

The drum is the most expensive part of the boiler. They are located at the top of water tube boilers, which are then filled with water. The purpose of the drum is to separate water and steam, which is why half of the drum is always empty and it is able to withstand high temperatures and pressures above 350 psi. Issues with the boiler are usually down to localised stresses and corrosion.

Tubing

Boiler tubes have the task of heating the water in order to produce steam. Tube boilers come in two variations; water tube boilers and fire tube boilers. Water tube boilers work by circulating water inside the tubes, whilst the furnace generates hot gases to heat the water. Fire tube boilers work by passing hot gas through the tubes, which heats the water through thermal conduction. Although boiler tubing can last for long cycles, it is one of the most common elements to fail due to wear and tear over time. Localised stress and corrosion can cause these failures.

Headers

Headers allow steam to exit the boiler. They also feed steam to individual heating circuits. Steam headers need to be large enough to remove the pressure drop between the boiler and the start of the circuit. Due to constant, radical temperature changes, the headers can become deformed due to thermal stress.

Deaerators

The purpose of the deaerator is to monitor the gas levels, mainly oxygen, in the boiler to ensure maximum thermal efficiency. It does this by reducing the dissolved gases to a low level, which in turn, raises the water temperature. There are certain industrial standards that this component must meet and must be maintained regularly – otherwise, they can be prone to deterioration and corrosion.

What Should I Be Looking for When Maintaining My Boiler?

There are several things that you need to be checking throughout the year, including daily, monthly, quarterly and annually:

Daily Maintenance:

Take a look at the display panel to ensure there are no errors or important service codes.
Boiler equipment as described above – check for leaks, obstructions or water as well as listen out for unusual noises.
Venting system – ensure there isn’t any debris.
Ensure the boiler has the correct level of chemicals and salts. Check the water softener, dealkaliser and the chemical feed system.
Check the boiler temperature, pressure and exhaust temperature to ensure the readings are at the recommended level.
Examine the boiler’s flame to check for signs of damage or soot.

Monthly Maintenance:

Check the lights and alarms to ensure they are in full working order.
Take a look at the relief valve discharge pipe and the boiler relief valve for signs of leakage.
Look for signs of a blockage in the combustion air piping flue gas vent piping.
Check the burner for signs of cracking, deformation or burning. We would also recommend checking the pilot ignition and burner valves for wear and tear.
Ensure controls for proper boiler set-point operation are in good working order.

Quarterly Maintenance:

Check the boiler burner flame for any changes.
Ensure that water cut-off devices for water levels are at manufacturer-recommended levels.
Replace gaskets if necessary.
Ensure wiring and cables are in good working order.
Check for leakages in the hydronic piping.
If it’s a base-mounted pump, check the alignment of the pumps.

Annually Maintenance:

Check the pH levels of the water.
Ensure the heating system isn’t experiencing any problems.
Ensure the venting system is free of obstructions, blockages, or deterioration.
Ensure all electrical within the system are in full working order.
Check control settings and test safety and operating controls.
Ensure there are no cracks within the system.
Check the metallic components, to make sure there is no damage or corrosion.
Ensure the gas valves are tested per the manufacturer’s recommendation and check for leakages.
Ensure auxiliary systems are in full working order.

Boiler Services from JH Heating and Plumbing

When it comes to boiler maintenance, we’re ensuring that any issues are spotted as soon as possible to stop them from becoming a bigger problem. We offer boiler services to those around the Tipton area, including Rugeley, Cannock, Burntwood, Wolverhampton, Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. With over 30 years of experience in the field, you can rest assured that if your boiler needs servicing, we’re the right people for the task. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our services or take a look at our Boiler Services page.