If your boiler is making a deep rumbling sound, like it’s going to explode, you have a problem. Don’t worry; it’s very likely not going to blow up on you. However, it may break down if the problem isn’t fixed as soon as possible. Let’s take a look at boiler kettling, what causes it, and what you can do about it.
Causes of Kettling
Believe it or not, most boilers are not designed to boil water. The average residential boiler runs water through a pipe called the heat exchanger, which heats the water on its way to its destination. Kettling happens because water becomes trapped in the heat exchanger for too long. This is usually because of lime scale buildup in the heat exchanger, which restricts the flow of water through the pipe. As the water is trapped in the heat exchanger, it begins to boil and evaporate into steam. Water expands over 1600 times in volume when it becomes steam, which puts an immense amount of pressure on the heat exchanger that it wasn’t designed to handle. This is what causes that deep rumbling sound that you keep hearing.
Problems with Kettling
If the pressure on the heat exchanger isn’t relieved sooner, rather than later, the pipe could rupture from the stress. Fortunately, most boilers have safety measures to prevent that from happening. Those same safety measures will shut down the system to protect it, which obviously still deprives you of a working heating system. If you want to keep your boiler in operating condition, you should shut it down yourself and call for repairs as soon as you notice it kettling. The faster we can repair your boiler, the better off the entire system will be.
PRK Services Inc. provides boiler repair services throughout Aubrey, TX. Call today for an appointment.