The P. Gagnon & Son Blog

How To Maintain Your Boiler This Winter

Make sure you’re not left in the cold

boiler maintenance maineWinter here in the Seacoast region of Maine and New Hampshire make your boiler work pretty hard. You need to take good care of it to prevent a breakdown, which can not only leave you without heat, but without a good chunk of change after repairs.

Caring For Your Boiler

Here’s what you need to do to make sure your boiler keeps going this winter.

  1. Do a test run. Turn your boiler on before you need to use it regularly. Check for any problems. Call P. Gagnon & Son if you find any.
  2. Do your research. Knowing how your boiler operates is key to keeping it in good condition. Read the owner’s manual.
  3. Have regular maintenance. A professional tune-up each year by P. Gagnon & Son is necessary to keeping your boiler running at maximum efficiency. One of our service plans can help with that.
  4. Inspect the radiators. If you’re finding cold spots on the radiators, it’s probably because air is trapped in the system. A simple fix is bleeding the radiators to purge any air. Again, read the owner’s manual so you know how to do it.
  5. Insulate your condensate pipe. Insulating your condensate pipe prevents it from freezing, which would block condensation from leaving the boiler. If you forgot to do this and your condensate pipe is frozen, there may be a fix. If you can safely get to the condensate pipe, thaw it with a hot water bottle or a microwavable heat pack. Another option is to pour warm or hot — but NOT boiling— water onto the pipe near the end where it is frozen.
  6. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge. If the pressure in your boiler drops, it could cause a breakdown. Pressure loss is commonly caused by leaks, but there are other possible causes. It’s best to leave this to the professional service technicians at P. Gagnon & Son.

If your boiler does need repair, don’t hesitate. A breakdown can leave your home dangerously cold. Contact P. Gagnon right away. We’re here for you!