Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night to the sound of a loud and seemingly distressed boiler? If so, you’re not alone, as even modern units and heating systems tend to make unusual noises even when they’re fully functional. However, certain sounds may also be indicative of an underlying flaw or fault, and in this instance you may need to hire a skilled engineer to help get to the bottom of the issue. In this post, we’ll look at some of the causes of a noisy boiler and precise sounds that you should look out for!
The Accumulation of Limescale on the Heat Exchanger
It’s well-known that debris and limescale can accumulate in a heating system over time, which is why most engineers now offer power flushing services to their clients. In some cases, you may find that limescale accumulate on the system’s heat exchanger, which can gradually block the flow of water and even cause some of your supply to boil (whilst increasing the pressure in your boiler). This issue can cause sounds that are akin to clunking and banging, whilst you may even hear a high-pitched kettling noise as the water starts to boil.
Trapped Air in the System
Trapped air is a commonplace boiler issue, and one that is occasionally characterised by another high-pitched whistling sound. Fortunately, this issue is relatively easy to deal with in most instances, particularly if you notice that there are also cold patches on individual radiators throughout your home. To correct this problem, you simply need to release the trapped air by bleeding the affected radiators and monitoring the effect on the boiler’s pressure. If this repair doesn’t work, you’ll need to work with an engineer to determine the precise cause of the noise and what forced the air to become trapped in the first place.
Blocked Sediment at the Bottom of the Boiler
As we’ve already touched on, even premium boilers can experience blockages over a sustained period of time. Sediment can also build-up at the bottom of the boiler unit, and this issue may be characterised by a strange, gurgling sound. Interestingly, this noise may also be indicative of a frozen condensate pipe, and this definitely something to look for during the depths of winter. The latter cause can be corrected by thawing the pipe in question, although this may need an expert hand if it’s below ground level.
Let Tim Reynolds Plumbing, Heating & Gas Diagnose your Boiler Faults
Whether your boiler is making a familiar sound or one that’s hard to distinguish, we’d recommend calling on a heating brand like Tim Reynolds. After all, our engineers can use their expertise to identify and diagnose the precise cause of these noises, before executing a quick and efficient repair. We also hold Gas Safe and NICEIC registration, along with a WaterSafe qualification that enables us to handle complex repair projects. We’re also approved installers with several of the UK’s leading boiler brands, and to find out more you can call us on 01202 802281. You can also email us at tim@timreynolds.co.uk, and one of our dedicated team will respond as soon as they can!
