Commercial boilers are designed specially to cope with high demand, creating lots of energy to heat the water in order to push it around the system. As a boiler depends on so many parts working in unison, one problem can tend to have a knock-on effect, leaving you with issues you simply cannot fix on your own. This is when professional help is needed and it’s time to call in expert boiler engineers experienced in commercial boilers whether it is for a hotel, restaurant, school or hospital.
In this article we’ll take a look at some of the most common faults you can experience with a commercial boiler. Usually, the issues are easily remedied and don’t cost a great deal of money to repair, but some serious issues may require further investigation and new parts ordered and installed.
1. Banging Or Whistling Noises
Commercial boilers should run smoothly and not make any noise except from then they are heating up water, when you might hear a slight blowing noise from the burner. However, if you hear your boiler banging, bubbling or whistling then that’s an indication of a potentially serious issue.
It could mean that the minerals deposited by the water in the system have caused limescale on the interior of the appliance, or it could be the result of low pressure. Either way, it needs to be examined to ensure it is safe to use.
2. Your System Has Low Pressure
If you’ve noticed that the boiler pressure gauge is significantly lower than normal, which should be between 1-2 in most systems, there is likely a leak in the system. Steam can be lost through leaking pipes or unsecure valves and seals, and this has an effect on the system pressure as a whole.
Another possible cause could be your feed pump not working as it should, or even the steam trap, so if you suspect this is the issue get in touch with a commercial boiler servicing company to assess the situation. They will be able to conduct a series of tests to pinpoint the cause and replace parts if needed.
3. Water Leaking From The Boiler
Whether the water is dirty, rusty or clear, having a constant drip coming from the boiler indicates a problem inside the tank. This could be due to interior corrosion of the pipework or components, or there may be broken valves and seals which are causing the leakage.
It may just be condensation dripping down from inside as it can’t be removed properly, but in more serious cases your expansion tank may be corroded and causing water to leak directly. Simply place a large bowl underneath it where you see the water dripping from, and call a commercial boiler engineer for a service and repair.
4. Not Producing Any Heat, Or Only At A Low Temperature
You may find that when you turn your taps on or start the shower that no heat is coming through at all. The water may be room temperature, freezing cold or just lukewarm. Sometimes a commercial boiler can take a while to get the hot water it creates to you, especially if you have extensive pipework in the premises.
If after one minute there is no change, ensure you are definitely turning the tap to the hot position, then turn off – there is something wrong with your boiler or pipework.
The issue may be to do with your burners which have become blocked with build-up, in turn preventing heat from being generated. This debris is a potential fire hazard so do not attempt to clean it yourself.
Other problems causing this fault may be the ignition or pump that isn’t working properly, or you may even have an issue with the thermostat. If you set your thermostat to the highest temperature and your boiler doesn’t fire up, it needs to be examined by a professional.
5. Heat Is Not Being Distributed Evenly
If you find that some parts of your commercial premises are cold and others warm, then there could be a fault in the pipework or the radiators themselves. Radiators which are filled with air need to be bled slowly to release the air in the upper section until water flows out – make sure your boiler is off before you do this.
Once the air is out, the radiator should be hot all over once you switch the heating system back on. Your heating system may have controls in place to determine which zones need heating, and this could be the reason. Areas which are carpeted should need less heat than bare wood or concrete floors.
The problem here may not necessarily be with the boiler, unless it has been set to heat zones to different temperatures.
Is your boiler system not behaving properly? Get in touch with Rowlen, commercial boiler servicing experts, and we can attend your property to investigate the issue. Many of the faults we come across can be resolved then and there, but sometimes new parts need to be ordered and installed. If the issue is beyond repair, we can always recommend new boilers for your exact requirements.
