A boiler leaking water is a pretty serious problem. And indicates that an internal component such as a seal or valve is broken. The leak can lead to corrosion and rust. Or can cause electric components within the boiler to cause short circuit.

It could even cause problems throughout your house, including structural damage. When you spot water coming out from your boiler. Then boiler service should be conducted as quickly as possible.

Is a Leaking Boiler an Emergency?

To know if it is an emergency or not. You need to determine the cause of a boiler leak. When your boiler is leaking. The first question that you should ask yourself is should I repair or replace my boiler?

The answer depends upon the reason why your boiler is leaking water and what type of boiler it is. The reason also could be lack of boiler maintenance done from your side. Or maybe the location of your boiler is not ideal and causing serious leaks in your home.

It can also lead to the growth of mold and fungi from the moisture which is bad for air quality. Though these may be extreme scenarios. You should not take any chances with your leaking boiler. And seek help from an engineer.

However, there are several different reasons why your boiler is leaking. But if your boiler is 10-15 years old and covered in corrosion then it may be time for you to buy a new boiler.

But if that’s not the case. Then in this article, we are going to tell you ways by which you can identify the reason behind the leak. And try preventing it yourself.

Why is My Boiler Leaking Water? Common Reasons:

Common reasons for your boiler leaking are the following:

Too much pressure
Corrosion to pipe fittings
Faulty heat exchanger
Internal Leakage
Corrosion and general wear

Let’s discuss them in detail.

Too Much Pressure

Like many other devices, your boiler also cannot handle too much pressure. Too much pressure simply means that your boiler is using too much water. Causing overflow pipe leaking. The good news is that you can monitor the pressure of your boiler. Through a pressure gauge on the front of your device.

A boiler’s pressure should be between 18 and 21 PSI or one bar. And when the pressure exceeds this value. The pressure relief valve will leak water. To prevent the appliance from blowing up or rupturing.

Too much pressure can make things much worse. So, you need to relieve some of the pressure by bleeding the radiator valves.

Corrosion to Pipe Fittings

Check the pipes underneath the boiler. They could get corroded either naturally or maybe they are installed improperly.

If your boiler is old, then it is normal to experience leaking over time. The water in the pipes is combined with metallic debris. This results in natural corrosion. Corrosion can lead to small gaps in the pipework. And this will cause the water to leak out. To avoid this, buy a metallic filter today.

If your boiler is new, then surely corrosion isn’t the problem. The leakage in your boiler might be the result of poor installation done by the engineer. So, call them immediately, and let them know the issue. And get it solved.

Faulty Heat Exchanger

A heat exchanger transfers heat from gas to water. Circulating around your home through the radiator. Providing you with heat and hot water. The heat exchanger is one of the most expensive parts of your boiler. In old boilers, the heat exchanger can become faulty and get exposed to damage over time. If the heat exchanger is faulty. Then it can be replaced by a professional certified gas-safe engineer. But as mentioned the heat exchanger is quite expensive. So, if you don’t have boiler insurance. Or your boiler has become too old then it’s better to get a new boiler instead.

Leaks From Internal Parts

It is possible that over time the seals and the pumps have corroded. Which will prevent them from functioning well. Leaving your boiler vulnerable to internal damage. Internal leaks can cause your boiler to leak water rapidly. Which can cause a real safety issue in your home. It is always better to call a gas safe engineer. To inspect the internal problem and deal with it immediately.

Corrosion and General Wear

This a common problem that almost all boilers face at some point in time. Sometimes your boiler leaks on a regular basis. Indicating that the copper pipes of the boilers have decayed. You can fix it temporarily but if not fixed properly it can cause some major problems. So, it is best that you leave it to a gas-safe engineer.

Get An Engineer

Mentioned above are the common reasons causing the boiler to leak. But sometimes the factors causing leakage in your boiler could be completely different. So, it’s always better to get your boiler inspected by a certified Gas-Safe engineer.

We Can Help!

We’re ready to help you with boiler problems 24/7, every day of the year. To benefit from our great boiler breakdown cover, give us a call at 0345 3192 247 or contact us online!

Don’t attempt to touch any part of your boiler or central heating system if you’re unsure. Did you know? It’s illegal for anyone to use a gas appliance if they think it’s unsafe. It’s always better to be safe than sorry as you could make things worse.

Instead, call us at 0345 3192 247 and we can help. Our technical team will run through some simple troubleshooting. To see if your problem can be solved on the phone. Or if they can book one of our friendly and knowledgeable Gas Safe registered engineers. To get your boiler back up and running as soon as possible.

24|7 Home Rescue accepts no liability for any injuries or damages. You sustain following the advice on this website. If in doubt, seek professional help.

FAQ’S

Q1. Why is my boiler leaking water from the bottom?

When your boiler is leaking water from the bottom. It means that the pipes underneath your boiler have corroded either naturally or maybe due to improper installation.

Q2. If I turn my boiler off, will it stop leaking?

Yes, if you turn off your boiler the leaking will stop. As the heat increases the pressure. Thus, the weak point is more exposed and starts to leak rapidly. By turning the boiler off the pressure will drop. Providing the system enough time to cool down.

Q3. Is it normal for a boiler to leak water?

If your boiler is old around 10-15 years old, then it is normal for a boiler to leak over time. The reasons are corrosion, lack of boiler maintenance, and general wear.

But if your boiler is new then the leakage in your boiler might be the result of poor installation done by the engineer. So, call them immediately, and let them know the issue. And get it solved.