Noisy Boiler

X-ray

I've run into this problem several times but I have yet to find a solution. When the burner on a gas-fired boiler runs, a snapping or popping noise is heard from within the boiler (hot water), causing the pressure gauge to "spike" . As near as I can tell, the cause is sediment buildup on the bottom of the casting which is trapping pockets of water which flash to steam. Tried draining and refilling the system but the problem continued, and I suspect that continuing to add oxygen-laden water will only make the problem worse. The boilers involved have been less than 5 years old. Any suggestions besides a new boiler?

Dana

I've had luck with fairly new boilers pulling the supply and return piping and rinsing the base with a hose and hand made wand of sorts to get right down in and blast the sediment loose.

hot_rod

What type of boiler?

Can you determine if the system has a small leak and has been taking on fresh water, for 5 years?

If it happens to be a copper tube boiler you could remove one of the headers and look inside the tubes. They make cleaning rods to clean the inside of these coils, although shotgun cleaning rods often work.


There are various cleaners and scale removers that may solve you noise problem. It's best to know what the build up is. If it is a calcium from continous, hard, fresh water an acid based coil cleaner works. Becareful with acids on copper tube boilers, if you overdo it the copper may disapper

If it is sludge from oil, flux, dirt, etc a soap based cleaner may be adequate.

Shouldn't need a replacement in 5 years, unless it's been severly absued.

hot rod

Mark Hunt

I'd be


looking for a leak somewhere. Sounds like a bunch of fresh water has made it'a way into the system.

Any piping under concrete or in a crawl space?

How hard is the water you are connected to?

Mark H

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