Boiler maintenance in St. Paul, MN

Why heating-season boiler maintenance matters

A boiler runs for most of the year in the Twin Cities, from early fall into spring. Over a season, soot, scale and sediment build up inside it. Safety controls can also drift out of adjustment without any obvious warning.

The EPA advises homeowners to have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune up central heating systems each heating season, including flues and chimneys. Our recommendation for homeowners matches that advice. Every boiler should get one professional service visit each heating season.

Each visit also includes adjusting the boiler for efficient operation. Regular service catches worn parts before they fail. It also makes a no-heat call on the coldest night of the year less likely.

What a boiler tune-up includes

Our certified technicians inspect and clean the boiler, check the burner and combustion, and look for leaks and corrosion. We inspect the venting from the boiler to the chimney or sidewall vent. We also test for carbon monoxide and check the gas connections.

Each boiler type also gets checks specific to how it works. On a hot-water boiler, we check system pressure, the expansion tank, the circulator pump and the pressure-relief valve. On a steam boiler, we check the water level in the sight glass, the low-water cutoff and the pressure controls.

Before we leave, we explain what we found in plain terms. If a part needs repair, you get the price before any work starts. We do not replace anything without your approval.

When to schedule your boiler service

Schedule maintenance during heating season, ideally in late summer or early fall before the cold sets in. That leaves time to finish any repairs before the first cold night. If you wait for the first cold snap, any problem we find has to be fixed while you need the heat.

The Krinkie’s Club maintenance plan includes two tune-ups a year and priority service. Members also get up to a 20% discount on most repairs, which helps if a tune-up turns up a worn part.

Between visits: what to check and what to leave alone

A few quick checks help you spot trouble early. On a hot-water boiler, look at the pressure gauge and check the floor around the boiler for water. On a steam boiler, make sure you can see water in the sight glass. Also keep the area around the boiler clear of boxes, laundry and anything that can burn.

If the pressure-relief valve drips, never cap or plug it. A dripping valve means the pressure or temperature is too high, or the valve itself is failing. Call us so a technician can find the cause.

Leave gas valves, burners and electrical wiring to a trained professional. Do not try to relight a boiler that has shut itself off. A safety control may have tripped for a reason, and we offer 24-hour boiler repair when that happens.

Gas and carbon monoxide safety

If you smell gas, leave the house right away on foot. Do not flip light switches or use your phone inside. Once you are safely away, call 911 and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999. If another company supplies your gas, call the number on your gas bill.

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 911, then call us once you are safe. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends CO alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas.

When maintenance turns into a replacement conversation

Sometimes a tune-up shows that a boiler is near the end of its life. Signs include heavy corrosion, a leaking boiler section or repairs that keep coming back. In that case, we explain your options honestly and give you a written quote.

If you replace a gas boiler this year, check for rebates first. If Xcel Energy supplies your gas, Xcel Energy’s Minnesota rebate summary lists a $250 rebate for gas boilers rated 95% AFUE or higher. The application must be postmarked by September 30 of the year after installation. If another utility serves your home, check its programs.

Schedule a boiler check if

• It was not serviced last heating season
• The house takes longer to warm up than it used to
• You hear rumbling, banging or knocking from the boiler or pipes
• The pressure-relief valve drips or you see water around the boiler
• The burner flame is yellow instead of blue
• Fuel bills are rising without a change in how you use your home

Common questions

Sources

• U.S. EPA — Carbon Monoxide's Impact on Indoor Air Quality
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Carbon Monoxide Information Center
• Xcel Energy — Minnesota residential rebate summary