Serving Brooklyn Since 1906

The Boiler Went Out. Now What Do I Do?

two people wearing jackets inside due to broken boiler

Waking up to a freezing Brooklyn home in the middle of winter isn’t a fun event.

But, if you have a boiler, there are some common reasons why it may have stopped working. Here are some tips to use to troubleshoot your boiler before calling a home services technician for boiler repair.

Of course, you’re more than welcome to give us a call at Petri Plumbing & Heating if you have any questions!

1. Check that the Boiler Switch is On

At the risk of sounding a bit patronizing, this is sometimes a very easy thing that is overlooked by homeowners when assessing an issue with a boiler. Usually, this is usually only a problem if someone in the house or another home services technician has turned the boiler off for some reason but it’s always good to start with the simplest step!

2. Check the Pressure

Take a look at the pressure gauge. Most boilers lose some pressure which results in low pressure that can make the boiler stop working. High pressure can also be an issue, but this is not as common. If you are handy, you can consult your manufacturer’s literature to ensure that your boiler is at the right pressure and how to turn the tap to fix the problem. If the problem persists, you may need further repair or a new boiler.

3. Check the Pilot Light

Sometimes these go out and just need to be reignited. If you aren’t familiar with how to reignite the pilot, check your manufacturer’s guidelines or call a heating service professional. Gas lines are dangerous and an inexperienced user will need assistance.

4. Check the Condensation Pipe

These pipes run from the boiler to the outside and, as such, are often exposed to the elements. That can cause the condensate pipe to freeze which can make your boiler stop working. You may have to warm the pipe up to unfreeze it if the outdoor temperature isn’t expected to rise above freezing. Wrapping the pipe in insulation can sometimes prevent the pipe from freezing.

5. Boiler isn’t Responding to the Thermostat

Check the thermostat to see if it is responding to commands. Try replacing any batteries that it may require and check to make sure the thermostat isn’t on “vacation” mode.

Help from the Brooklyn Boiler Pros

Hopefully, a simple fix will get your boiler up and running again, but, if not, it may be time to call in a heating service professional. You can also check out another one of our blog posts for some things you should be checking on your boiler.

Petri Plumbing & Heating is here to help when you need boiler services in Brooklyn or the surrounding area. We can repair your boiler, install a new boiler or provide regular boiler maintenance to make certain you stay warm all winter long. Reach out to our heating experts when you need help with your Brooklyn boiler!

Need Help?

We’re open 24/7, call today or schedule online now!
4.6 Stars | 550+ Google Reviews

Now Hiring

We are the market leaders and want to hire people that grow with our company. We are looking for qualified, motivated technicians and pay competitively!

Apply Now