Introduction to Pittsburgh Boiler Repair 101
If you are currently operating under the assumption that boiler repairs in all cities are the same, you would be wrong. The primary reason for this has to do with the unusually hard mineralized water that flows through the pipes in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
So Pittsburgh boiler repair is unique in that so much boiler repair in Pittsburgh revolves around repairs necessitated as the result of hard water in homes and businesses that don’t have a water softener. So keep on reading, and you will discover more about what you can do to avoid problems.
What is the Average Lifespan of a Boiler?
Maintenance is essential for long-term problem-free service.
It’s challenging to nail down the exact service life of the various brands and models of boilers available on the market today. So given that, it’s tempting to assume that some relative average service life can be arrived at by using some type of mathematical wizardry.
The truth here, though, is that there are just so many variables that factor into how much service life you can expect out of your boiler. For instance, is the most important is annual inspections followed up by prompt repair of any minor performance issues.
At the same time, as noted, there is a wide range of brands and models available at varying prices, with the more costly of them generally tending to have longer service lives.
Why is Boiler Repair Important?
Boiler repair is important to prevent expanding damage.
This may seem like an odd question to ask because, of course, particularly in Pittsburgh, boiler repair is important, and it should require no explaining. But it does, in fact, need to be explained because problems with boilers, if not attended to, tend to multiply on to each other with a domino effect.
What this means is failure to act on what may seem like a minor issue can result in that issue developing into a bigger problem, or worse yet, multiple problems further down the road.
A simple analogy would be your vehicle developing performance issues as the result of neglecting to get regular tuneups and oil changes.
Is a Broken Boiler an Emergency?
In some instances, it can be.
Whether or not a broken boiler is an emergency depends on a few mitigating factors. One of them, for instance, is if your boiler is broken and freezing weather is forecast.
This is because frozen pipes mean broken pipes, and broken water pipes lead to structural damage.
Then another thing to consider is that if the problem is the result of damage to a gas supply line, that for sure needs to be determined right away.
Then one more noteworthy factor to consider is finances because a small problem nipped in the bud can head off the greater expense of repairing a substantially larger problem brought about by neglect.
What Are the Signs a Boiler Needs Repair?
There are several subtle and not-so-subtle signs that a boiler needs repair.
Particularly in a commercial setting, the importance of a properly functioning boiler cannot be overstated. Also, it’s essential to understand that malfunctions won’t simply work themselves out over time.
Instead, it’s just the opposite that is true, because left unattended, they tend to get worse. So the most obvious sign that a boiler needs repair is degraded performance.
That is that it’s not achieving the temperatures that it had in the past or that there’s a lack of response to adjustments. All modern boilers have a coded blinking light system. This is a small light that blinks in preset sequences, with each sequence indicating if there is or isn’t a specific malfunction.
Expanding More On Pittsburgh Boiler Repair
Can a Plumber Fix a Boiler?
Some but not all can do repairs on boilers.
A simple analogy to clarify this answer would be asking whether or not the tow truck driver changing your flat tire can also rebuild the transmission in your vehicle?
The simple answer to that question would be possibly so, but probably not. At least not yet, because he has not completed his training. Qualified boiler repair calls for advanced knowledge of all functions of a boiler system. Not just how they operate on them individually, but also how they interact with one another for optimal performance.
How Often Should Boilers Be Serviced?
They need to be inspected and serviced once a year.
Particularly if the temperatures where you live dip below freezing during the winter months, you need to have your boiler inspected and serviced at least once a year.
Preferably before the onset of winter. The reason for this is that frozen pipes mean broken pipes, and if your boiler goes down after the temperature dips below freezing, there’s no guarantee that a maintenance specialist will be available to get it up and going on time.
All boilers, if given enough time, will develop problems, so it’s always best to act preemptively to ensure that any issues that you encounter are not catastrophic.
How Much Does a Boiler Repair Typically Cost in Pittsburgh?
Cost depends on the qualifications of the person doing the repairs.
In general, there is a going rate for boiler repairs in Pittsburgh. But it’s difficult to nail down a typical cost because there are seasonal factors to consider, as well as the qualifications of who you turn to when your boiler is malfunctioning.
Seasonal repairs mean that you’re more apt to get a better deal if you schedule an inspection in the middle of the summer than you would if your boiler breaks down during a severe ice storm in the middle of the winter.
Then with regards to qualifications, you can generally expect to pay a little less for a less-qualified or, even worse yet, an unlicensed party.
Also, given the potential damage that can result from a poorly functioning or non-functioning boiler, bargain rate services by an unqualified party can turn out to be not such a bargain after all.