Getting through winter is already tough, and the last thing you want is a leaking boiler. There are various reasons why water might leak from a boiler and the cause can often be found by checking where the water is coming from. If you notice any leakage from your boiler leaving you with questions like why is my boiler leaking water? Or how can I fix it? – this guide has all the answers you need.
Some Common Causes of Boiler Leaks
Corrosion in the system
Corrosion in a boiler takes place due to unbalanced oxygen & pH levels, which weaken the pipes or the entire tank, resulting in water escaping from the boiler over time. So, if you have been wondering why is my boiler leaking water? – the reason could be corroded pipework. Corrosion can be an issue especially in older boilers as it can cause rust & other debris to build up in the pipework and radiators. When the water starts running around the boiler system, it picks up the debris and then returns it to the boiler.
Corrosion often breaks the rubber seals around the joints of the pipes, so you may notice water leakage there. If you spot corrosion only on one valve or pipe, you can stop the water leakage by simply replacing it with a new one. But in case the corrosion has spread all over the system, you might need to replace the entire boiler.
High Pressure
You could be questioning yourself ‘why is my boiler leaking water?’ when there is too much pressure in the boiler. If you find your boiler leaking, check the pressure gauge on the front of the boiler to see if the pressure is too high. If so, the pressure relief valve might be trying to discharge some water from the system in order to bring down the pressure to a comfortable level. This could result in the boiler system dripping some water.
Ideally, the valve needle must be between 1 & 1.5 bar (typically shown on the pressure gauge as a ‘green’ zone). When the needle goes higher, or into the ‘red’ zone, you can reduce the boiler pressure by bleeding the radiators. This involves using a bleed key for loosening the nut at the end of the radiator and letting the system release all the extra water.
High Temperature
Your boiler temperature getting too high is another reason you could be asking yourself – why is my boiler leaking water? Boilers are fitted with TCV (Temperature Control Valve) that monitors the water temperature in the boiler and also prevents it from getting too high. Any leakage from the Temperature Control Valve (TCV) implies that the temperature of the water in the boiler is too high & this could result in burning hot water coming out of the taps.
If you notice any leakage from the TCV, you can fix it by adjusting the temperature yourself or calling a gas engineer.
Faulty heat exchanger
The heat exchanger is the most expensive component of a boiler and is responsible for heating cold water. It is however, common for them to fail – for instance, cracks in old boilers, particularly in cheap, low-quality boilers regardless of their age are common, and so are leakages that could be a sign of decay in the heat exchanger.
When you are wondering why is my boiler leaking water? and the reason is a faulty heat exchanger, you wouldn’t be able to identify the issue yourself. That’s because diagnosing such problems involves removing the boiler’s cover and carefully inspecting the inside of the system which only an experienced gas engineer can do. Although a leaking heat exchanger can be replaced, it can be quite expensive; thus it might be best to get a new boiler.
