When you are in the market for a used car in Illinois or Northwest Indiana you always have to be concerned about corrosion. We all realize cars are much more likely to rust when exposed to winter sand and salt prevalent in northern states compared to a car from Arizona. Merts Heating & Air Conditioning wants to add another corrosion warning: It can also be a problem with the boiler that provides heat, and in some cases hot water, in your Steger, IL or Crown Point, IN home.
HOW AND WHY IT HAPPENS
Corrosion happens when oxygen reacts with metal (most often iron or steel) which oxidizes to form rust. The result is that a smooth steel surface becomes pitted. The pits in turn speed up the rusting process greatly weakening the steel and eventually the pits turn into holes.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BOILER
When corrosion is bad inside your HVAC boiler the only solution is buying a new one and that’s expensive. So, let’s talk about ways Merts can help protect your boiler. It starts with regular maintenance which includes:
- Inspect the vent and flue for signs of damage
- Examine the heat exchanger for cracks (a leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning)
- Flush the system as needed to get rid of rust in the water
- Bleed the system to remove unwanted air
Merts will also talk with you about treating the water in your radiant heating system. This will inhibit the chemical reactions that cause the damaging corrosion.
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND IS A PROBLEM
This tends to happen with radiant heating systems. Unlike forced air systems there are no noisy fans and motors so it’s easy to forget about boiler maintenance but that’s a mistake. Radiant heating systems require seasonal maintenance just as much as forced air systems. Ignoring maintenance greatly increases the odds of serious corrosion problems so don’t procrastinate. Call Merts Heating & Air Conditioning now for boiler maintenance to make sure you are prepared for another winter in Illinois and Northwest Indiana? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to learn more about the services Merts offers.