There are many parts of our state that are pastoral or rural, leaving many homeowners getting their home’s water from a well. This isn’t a bad thing, but water that comes directly from a well tends to be “hard water,” aka, water that has high mineralization. This mineralization can actually be healthy for people but not so healthy for your plumbing system, which will include your heating system if you use a boiler to heat your home in Mount Lebanon.
What Happens with Hard Water?
The reason hard water can be an issue for your plumbing system, of which your boiler is a part, is that the minerals in hard water can lead to the development of a substance known as lime scale. This substance is white and crusty, and you may have seen it on faucets and shower heads. The problem with lime scale is that once it starts to build, it can create a layer that seriously restricts the movement of water. This kind of build-up is known as lime scale deposits and it can lead to issues with your boiler system.
Lime Scale and Your Boiler
When it comes to lime scale and your boiler, there are two common problems. The first is build up in your heating system piping. Scale in your pipes can restrict the flow of hot water to your heating outlets. This not only shorts you of needed heat, but it also creates tremendous pressure within your heating system. The second common problem that develops with lime scale is kettling. Inside your boiler is a component known as the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger transfers heat to the water in your system. But if there are lime scale deposits on the heat exchanger, the water won’t flow as needed and instead become trapped and boil. The boiling is what makes the kettling sound, a sound similar to a tea kettle when it is about to start whistling. This is not a good sound and is something that needs to be repaired right away.
If you suspect your boiler may be experiencing issues with lime scale, call the experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling today.