Is Your Boiler Leaking Water? What To Check

A boiler is meant to heat the water and transport it to radiators for space heating. Heated water is also used to supply hot water through taps and showers. Water, especially when heated, may start leaking out of the boiler or pipes, due to multiple reasons. A leaking boiler is a permanent cause of frustration. It may stop working at any time, especially if the leak is left unattended. Additionally, it may create serious safety issues.

When a boiler starts leaking, it is a warning sign that it needs immediate attention. In the event of severe leakage, water can be visibly noticed around the boiler, in the shape of puddles. In other cases, there would be signs of dampness underneath the boiler. In some cases, a leak might not be visible on the exterior of a boiler, but its performance is badly affected. This may be a situation of internal leaks. In any case, a water leak, whether external or internal, needs immediate repair; otherwise, it may end up in a disastrous situation. 

Is Your Boiler Leaking – How to Detect

A water leak in a boiler can either be external or internal. In both cases, it is a serious fault. Hence, it is important for you to be able to detect it to avoid further damage to your boiler. 

• External Leak Detection

If water is leaking from any of the external parts of a boiler, it can be detected easily because, in most cases, leaking water would be visible around or below the boiler. 

Here are some useful tips on the detection of water leaks in the external parts of a boiler:

• Physical and visual Inspection of the surrounding area of the boiler and the pipes connected to it would provide a definitive clue about the water leaks. Dripping water, water puddles, or stains of water are clear indications that a water leak exists.
• Rust and corrosion around the valves and joints in the pipework also indicate a water leak. 
• Pressure Relief Valve, Pump Seals, Connections, and Fittings are the possible sites where water may start leaking. Any signs of water stains, corrosion, or rust around any of these parts are indications of water leaks. 
• A cracked or frozen condensate pipe is also evidence of water leakage. It often happens in the severe cold season. 
• Signs of dampness on the floor, walls, and ceilings near the boiler often occur due to water leakage from the boiler. It may also cause peeling of paint and growth of fungus in these places. 
• Water leakage from the external parts of the boiler can also be detected by a dripping sound. Though difficult to notice, it sometimes is quite audible, especially when the surroundings are quiet. 

• Internal Leak Detection

While the external leaks can often be detected just by a visual inspection, the internal leaks from inside the sealed casing of a boiler are difficult. Sometimes it might be impossible, unless you engage a professional gas engineer for this purpose. However, some critical signs do indicate that there might be an internal water leak. 

• Frequent pressure drops most likely happen due to internal water leakage. If the boiler pressure frequently drops below 1 bar, it is an indication of an internal water leak. 
• If the boiler pressure drops repeatedly, even after topping it up, it is definitely happening due to water leaks from inside the boiler. 
• If your boiler suddenly shuts off and some error codes appear on the panel, it is an indication that the sensors are exposed to water, due to internal leaks. 
• The emergence of unusual gurgling, crackling, or hissing reflects that the water is leaking into the internal hot parts of the boiler. It is also an indication that some of the internal parts have developed corrosion due to consistent water drops. 
• If you notice an irregularity or inconsistency in heating or hot water supply, despite all settings being correct, it might be due to an internal water leak. 

IMPORTANT

Never try to open the casing of the boiler to detect internal water leaks. It is illegal. You must hire the services of a Gas Safe Registered Engineer to inspect the boiler in the event of the appearance of any of the above signs. The gas safe registered engineer is legally authorized to open the boiler casing to identify if there is an internal water leak in the boiler. 

• Corrosion and rust on the internal parts of a boiler.
• Check and identify signs of leaks from the pump, internal pipes, and heat exchanger.
• Perform pressure tests. 
• Use leak detection gadgets to identify internal water leaks.

Your Boiler is Leaking - What to Do 

Once the leak in your boiler, whether external or internal, is confirmed, you need to take immediate steps to prevent any further damage to the boiler. Also, ensure the safety of your home and family, as a leaking boiler may cause a serious mishap if not repaired timely manner. 

• Safety First

Ensuring the safety of your family and home should always be the first priority. Hence, the first thing to do is to turn off the boiler. In fact, this step should be taken even at the appearance of the smallest of the signs of a possible water leak. But once the leak is confirmed, it should compulsorily be turned off, without wasting any time. 

• Switch off the boiler from the control panel. 
• Shut off the power supply. 
• Cut off the energy source, like the supply of gas, if it is a gas-powered boiler. 
• Make sure that the electricity supply is completely cut off because it could be dangerous if leaking water comes in contact with any live electricity wire, switches, or sockets. 
• Let the boiler cool down before checking and detecting the source of water leakage.

• Turn Off the Water Supply

To prevent the spillage of leaked water and to protect the boiler parts from further damage, the main water supply to the boiler should be turned off. It can be done by closing the isolation valve, which can be found on the pipe that feeds cold water to the boiler. You can also turn off the main water supply inlet valve to the entire home to ensure safety. 

• Pinpoint the Source of Water Leakage 

Once the boiler is turned off, the supply of gas and electricity is cut off, and the water supply to the boiler is turned off, you can move on to detect the exact source of water leakage. However, it is an optional step that should only be performed if you are capable of doing it. But in any case, don't open the sealed casing of the boiler; it can only be done by a gas safe registered engineer. 

• Contact a Gas Safe Registered Engineer

A boiler is a sensitive appliance in many ways. Only a trained and qualified Gas Safe engineer is authorized to work on it. It is even more important when the fault is in the internal components of the boiler. So, search for a nearby Gas Safe Registered Engineer by visiting the website of the Gas Safe Register. 

Check the credentials of the engineer to match your requirements and call them for inspection and fix the water leakage problem. Never call a non-registered engineer; it is illegal. 

• Check Warranty and Insurance Coverage

Check if your boiler is under warranty by the manufacturer. If the warranty is still valid, you may contact them for repair and servicing. Similarly, if your home and boiler are covered under insurance policies, you may contact the insurers for repair of damaged parts of your home, such as walls, floor, and ceilings. Many home insurance policies include the damage caused by boiler leaks. 

• Avoid Restarting or Repressurizing the Leaked Boiler

Don’t try to restart the boiler before getting the problem fixed. Also, make sure not to try repressurizing the boiler unless the water leak is repaired. Any such effort may prove to be dangerous and may cause further damage to your boiler. Be patient and wait for the engineer to come and fix the leakage issue. Let them do their work and restart your boiler. 

• Get the Boiler Serviced 

Once the water leakage issue is resolved, it is the best time to schedule a complete servicing of your boiler. It will ensure the trouble-free performance of your boiler in the coming days. It is also important for the safety of your boiler. Remember, only a Gas Safe registered engineer should be hired for servicing the boiler. 

IMPORTANT

1. Ensure your boiler is serviced regularly, at least once a year.
2. Check the pressure level of your boiler regularly.
3. Protect the pipes by insulating them, especially during winter.
4. Consider replacing the boiler if it is older than 10 years.

Conclusion

Water leakage in a boiler is a serious matter and more importantly, it is not a rare occurrence. It can occur in your boiler at any time. The water, especially when heated, can cause damage in various parts of the boilers in the form of rusting and corrosion. It can also cause loosening of the seals and joints. The heated water can also damage the internal parts of the boiler. Any such damage, rust, or corrosion leads to water leakage. 

Leakage of water can occur in internal parts of the boiler, which is a more serious problem. Internal leakage is more difficult to detect than external leaks. While external leaks are often clearly visible, internal leaks are hard to detect, unless checked by a professional gas safety engineer. In any case, water leaks, whether internal or external, should never be left unattended because they may lead to a serious mishap. Most importantly, never try to fix the leakage on your own; always call a gas safe registered engineer to repair it.