What Does a Boiler Service Include – What to Expect for a Boiler Service Assessment

by | Jan 20, 2025 | Boiler Services

SUMMARY

Time flies fast! It has been about 10-12 months after installing your new boiler. It seems fine, but you were recommended to get your boiler serviced within this time. What can you expect? How will the assessment go? For this article, we will help walk you through the process of what to expect for your boiler service inspection and provide insight into what is involved. Remember, neglecting the service of your boiler can lead to potential safety hazards, reduced efficiency, or possibly a major repair for your boiler. Read on to learn more!

Boiler Service Inspection and Assessment

External Boiler Examination

The first step you can expect is a comprehensive visual inspection from the boiler service technician. They will conduct a thorough review of the exterior of your boiler, checking for any signs of damage like discoloration of paint, cracks, or dents. They will also inspect the piping and joints of your boiler for any signs of weeping, as well as check and see if the relief valves are still functioning correctly. They will check the low-water cutoff and the overall condition of the boiler room to ensure everything is in good condition, and there are no safety hazards present. This meticulous process ensures safety, operational efficiency, and compliance with safety standards and regulations.

Internal Component Check

After the outside has been thoroughly inspected, it is time for the inside of the boiler. The boiler will be shut and allowed to cool for about one day. The drain and vent lines will be opened, and the boiler will be drained. The inspectors, with their extensive knowledge and experience, will remove inspection tags, manhole and handhole cover plates, and washout plugs so they can get to the internal components.

The fireside access panels will be opened as well so the furnace surfaces can be inspected. Every part of the insides of the oiler will be inspected and assessed like the water level robes, burner, heat exchanger, and ignition pins. Once the inspectors review and fill in their logs for the boiler, they will reassemble and put everything back together.

A boiler in a room.

Boiler Service Cleaning and Maintenance

Removing Dirt and Debris

If the boiler is particularly dirty, the boiler service technicians will use various methods to remove the dirt and debris from the boiler. They will have specialized boiler service tools to aid them. Wire brushes for scraping off and removing soot and dust, vacuum cleaners to remove any remaining debris left from the ire brushes, acid solutions to dissolve scale and mineral deposits inside the boiler tubes, hydro blasting to clean boiler tubs and other components, as well as flushing sediment and debris out the system by attaching a hose to the drain valve and running water through it several times.

Replacing Worn-out Parts

After inspecting the boiler both inside and out, the boiler service technician might recommend replacing some parts in your boiler. This will help be a preventative measure against further problems that could snowball later or replace a part that is already broken. Boiler service technicians will ensure the boiler is shut down and cooled down. They will use tags to make sure every part of the boiler is turned off. Boiler service tools like pipe cutters, wrenches, torches, descaling pumps, or tube cutters can be used depending on what parts of the boiler need replacing. It might be parts like the gaskets, valves, or other components. Once the replacement process is finished, the boiler service technician will ensure all parts are running smoothly after installation and reassembly.

A boiler installed in a basement

Boiler Service Performance and Safety Testing

Efficiency Assessment

Boiler service technicians use two primary methods when conducting an efficiency assessment: direct and primary. The direct method involves comparing the energy output of steam to the energy input of fuel to determine whether the boiler works efficiently. It is straightforward and uses the formula of heat output (steam) / heat input (fuel) x 100.

Another method is the indirect method. It involves a more detailed analysis and considers various types of heat losses in its equation. It will measure parameters such as flue gas composition, and temperature. It will also account for losses due to factors like flue gas, moisture in fuel, unburned cartons, radiation, and convection. It will use the formula boiler efficiency = 100 – (total losses.) This is a more time-consuming efficiency method and often requires precise data for its analysis.

Safety System Verification

A boiler service technician will sometimes conduct a safety test, a crucial step to ensure a boiler’s safe and efficient operation. One safety test is hydrostatic testing. It will check the integrity of the boiler unit by checking for leaks and other structural weaknesses. The boiler will be filled with water and pressurized, displacing air pockets. This increased pressure will be held for at least half an hour before it will be inspected for leaks or defects before the pressure is lowered back to normal.

Boiler service tools can also be used to help with safety system verification. Here is a list of the best boiler service tools technicians use.

  • Safety valves – they help relieve excess pressure from the boiler system
  • Water cutoff devices – prevent the boiler from operating when water levels fall below a safe threshold, avoiding overheating and potential damage
  • Pressure control device – maintain the boiler’s pressure within a safe operating limit
  • Gas detection sensors – detect if harmful gases like carbon monoxide or methane are in the air
  • Flame scanners – they monitor burner operation to ensure proper combustion.
  • As you can see, a boiler service technician has a lot of tools in his arsenal to ensure that your boiler inspection will be safe, smooth, and efficient.
A man installing a boiler

Conclusion

In conclusion, a boiler service is a vital service that should be done at least annually or bi-annually, conducted by a professional boiler service technician. It will ensure that your boiler is running effectively and efficiently and is a proactive approach to ensuring you nip any merging problems in the bud. If you’re interested in scheduling your yearly boiler inspection, especially if it is long overdue, Ambient Cooling and Heating can help you! We offer expert boiler service inspections and will make sure we keep you informed on the condition of your boiler. We are experts in heating services and have a standard procedure to ensure your boiler is in good condition and up to date. You can call us at (410) 761-0932 or contact us to get a free quote today. We Bring Back Quality and Honesty – One Job at A Time.

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