How Often Should You Flush Your Boiler?

Cast iron boilers are built to last—our team at Barr Plumbing Service, Inc. has worked on some that are half a century old, and their modern iterations are also capable of achieving extremely long lifespans. If they’re properly cared for, they can last longer than just about any other heating source, so it’s important to keep up with regular maintenance tasks.

Gone are the days of homeowners needing to manually add water to their boilers, thanks to automatic water feeders, but there are still some chores that need to be taken care of. Expensive and bothersome boiler repair in Columbus, IN can be avoided by paying some regular attention paid to the workings of your appliance.

Why do I need to drain my boiler?

While boilers can seem indestructible thanks to their construction, they do require regular draining in order to work at peak efficiency. Sediment that can build up on the interior is the main reason, and if left unaddressed, it can eventually require boiler repair in Columbus, IN that can cost you big.

Sediment develops over time naturally—there’s really no way to avoid it. Some of this sediment comes from your radiators, due to dirt and grease that have gotten in there over time and worked their way down to the boiler itself thanks to the steam turning into water and washing it down into the basement. Also, as steam comes out of the system, new water is cycled in, which can bring dissolved particles as well. This can eventually build up into a problem.

How do I flush a boiler?

Draining a boiler is a task that fortunately isn’t all that difficult. Basically, you just need a bucket or a hose, and then you need to locate the drain valve on your appliance (it’s usually near the bottom). You can then place the bucket underneath or attach the hose to route the water directly into a basement drain. Then you just open up the valve and let the water run until it’s clear—it usually just takes a few seconds if you’re doing this task regularly. Completing this simple step on a consistent basis means that the problem never gets too out of hand, and you won’t have to run too much water off.

How often is flushing necessary?

At Barr Plumbing Service, Inc., we typically recommend that customers drain their boilers at least once a month or so. The sediment that builds up can easily damage the appliance if left unchecked, and avoiding boiler repair in Columbus, IN is something every customer should want to do. Being an attentive and diligent homeowner is an important habit to get into, and boiler maintenance should be on your list. We find that many of our customers just add a note to their smartphones that reminds them to drain their boiler regularly, which takes most of the guesswork out of it.

If you find yourself needing plumbing services like boiler installation in Columbus, IN, Barr Plumbing Service, Inc. is fully equipped to handle any scenario. We work with appliances from water heaters to sump pumps to water softeners, so if you need anything checked out or repaired, we’re the team to call.

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