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Gas and steam boilers are made to provide balanced heat in your home throughout the winter. If you have an older boiler system or recently bought a home with a boiler system it may be difficult to know what exactly to do with it. Boilers are made to produce radiant heat through a hot water system. The hot water warms an object, such as a radiator or a baseboard in the room and then returns the cooled water back to the boiler to be reheated. A gas or steam boiler are a bit more complex than a forced air furnace which means repairs should be left to a pro.
What you need to know first about boilers is that to get the most out of them maintenance is a must. There is no need to cross your fingers and hope that your boiler will not break down on the coldest night of the year. Keep up on regular maintenance and you won’t be hit with any surprises. But eventually all things have lived their life. The average gas or steam boiler lasts 15 to 20 years. Jacobs’ technicians can help you determine if your residential or commercial boiler needs maintenance or repair.
Blue flames indicate that your gas furnace is working efficiently. If you notice a different color, like yellow, this can be a sign you have a carbon monoxide problem. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that is odorless but will leave you feeling nauseous or dizzy. You might even be feeling fatigued or have headaches. Call Jacobs to get it assessed right away. We have an emergency service line for after hours.
There can be many reasons your gas or steam boiler isn’t heating your space. The two most common ones are that the water level in the boiler might be low or mineral deposits are accumulating. Correcting low water level is fairly easy – manually feed the boiler by opening up the water feed valve. If you suspect mineral deposits in your boiler call a repair professional from Jacobs’ to flush the system.
If your gas or steam boiler is keeping you up at night then it is time to have a pro come out to take a look. Whistling, whining, or other strange noises can indicate an issue, and it is always better to be safe than sorry. While gas boilers are fairly reliable, when problems do occur it could be a variety of issues including a bad circulator pump or trapped water or air in the lines.
All boilers eventually stop working efficiently. If your boiler isn’t keeping your home warm and cozy during the cold winter months then it is time to find a professional to help you assess your options.
Boilers older than 15 years are probably ready to be replaced.
Repair bills adding up every month is an indication that your boiler needs a replacement.
If your heat bills are rising each month with no explanation it is time to consider a new boiler.
A constantly leaking boiler is a good indicator that it is time to consider replacement before a flood causes property damage.
If you haven’t had your gas or steam boiler maintained in a while, or are unsure when its last maintenance was, it is time to have a Jacobs technician come out to help. We can help troubleshoot and work through your system to determine if you need a boiler replacement. We work on all major boiler brands including:
If your boiler is showing signs of repair or needs to be maintained, Jacobs’ technicians are ready to help on all major boiler brands. For unplanned problems we offer 24/7 emergency services at 503-444-8470. For regular repair services, here’s what to expect:
Having regular heat isn’t a matter of luck – it is a matter of preparedness. Being proactive on boiler maintenance is going to be the biggest determination of longevity for your boiler. Regularly maintaining your gas or steam boiler is a great investment for both you and your boiler. Compared to an expensive repair, annual service is a low investment. It will help you spot problems before they become an issue.
Our regular maintenance agreements have several different plans to choose from. All of Jacobs’ agreements feature Saturday service, scheduling reminders, and monthly payment options. Our highly qualified technicians receive training to ensure they are caught up with the latest industry standards. Jacobs technicians can even give you tips to improve efficiency and minimize the likelihood of future repairs.
Jacobs has been repairing boilers for over 60 years. All of Jacobs’ technicians are certified through North American Technician Excellence (NATE). They are also mobile dispatched, so they can pull up a history of any service work we’ve done for you in the past. Our services are Energy Star Compliant and backed by a warranty so you can trust the integrity of your system for years to come.