How to Safely Add Water to Your Boiler
When you are at your home, office, or any other workplace, there are always chances of fire accidents. The best way to avoid these accidents is by ensuring that all the electrical appliances are in good condition. One of the most common electrical appliances is the boiler. Boiler is a machine that is used to heat water in your residential or commercial place. To keep your boiler in good condition, you should ensure that it has enough water at all times.
Why You Require To Add Water
Your boiler may drop the pressure for many reasons. The most common reason for the pressure drop is leaking in the system. These leaks can happen in different places such as pipes, valves, or fittings. If you notice that your boiler has lost some pressure, you should check all these places for leaks. Once you have found the location of the leaks, you should repair them immediately. If none of these places is leaking, then you need to add water to your boiler. Adding water to your boiler is not a difficult task, but you should be very careful while doing it. If you add too much water at once, it can damage your boiler. Therefore, you should always add water gradually. Another thing that you should keep in mind is the type of water that you are using. You should never use hard water to fill your boiler. Hard water can damage the internal parts of your boiler. Always use soft water or distilled water to fill your boiler. The following are the steps you should follow when adding water to your boiler;
1. Switching Off The Power Supply
It is always advisable to switch off the power supply before adding water to your boiler. This will help to avoid any electrical shock. According to Knoji, It is recommended you follow the instructions guide. You can also ask your electrician to show you the manual. The process of switching off the power supply is as follows:
- Locate the main power switch of your boiler and turn it off.
- Wait for some time so that the boiler cools down completely.
- If you are using a battery-operated drill, then remove the batteries.
When the power is switched off, it will help to avoid any sparks that can cause a fire. This is one of the most important safety measures that you need to take while adding water to your boiler.
3. Opening The Boiler’s Water Inlet Valve
Opening your boiler’s water inlet valve will help you to add water easily. You can find this valve near the bottom of your boiler. Turn the valve in a clockwise direction to open it. This will help to release any pressure that might have built up inside the boiler. To open the valve, you will need to use a wrench or a screwdriver.
4. Checking The Water Level in the Boiler
You need to check the water level in the boiler before adding more water. This helps to avoid any chances of overflow and also helps you understand how much water is required. You can check the water level by looking at the gauge or by checking it manually. If the water level is below the minimum mark, then you will need to add more water. If the water level is above the maximum mark, then you will need to empty some water from the boiler.
4. Adding Water To The Boiler
Once you have opened the water inlet valve, you can start adding water to your boiler. You can use a bucket or any other container to add water, but always ensure that the container is filled with soft water or distilled water. Depending on the size of your boiler, you may need to add more than one bucket of water. You should make sure that you do not overfill the boiler. If your boiler is big enough to be filled by a hose pipe, you can use this to fill the boiler. But you should take these precautions to ensure you do not get an electric shock;
- Attach a 9-volt battery to one end of the hose pipe and switch on the power.
- Insert the other end of the hose pipe into the water inlet valve.
- Make sure that the water is not flowing at a high speed so that you do not get an electric shock.
5. Closing The Water Inlet Valve
It is essential to close the water inlet valve once you have finished adding water to your boiler. According to Ehow, This helps to avoid any chances of overflow and also keeps the water inside the boiler. You can close the water inlet valve by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction. Use a screwdriver when you need to ensure you close it tightly.
6. Checking The Boiler’s Pressure
You need to check your boiler pressure after you close the valve. The pressure gauge is usually located near the top of the boiler. The ideal pressure for your boiler should be between 1 and 2 bar. If the pressure is below 1 bar, then you will need to add more water to your boiler. If the pressure is higher than 2 bar, then you will need to release some water from the boiler. Be sure to read the boilers manuals carefully to understand the correct pressure levels for your boiler. Ensure you drain any excess water from the boiler before using it again.
7. Turning Your Boiler
Once you are done with everything, it is now time to turn your boiler back on. You should be able to turn it on by using the switch located at the bottom of your boiler. According to Center Sand Squares, Once you have turned it on, check to make sure that the water is circulating properly. Monitor your boiler closely for the first few days to make sure that everything is working properly.
Conclusion
Adding water to a boiler can be very dangerous if not done correctly. Make sure to follow these steps carefully to avoid any accidents. If you are ever unsure about anything, always consult a professional. Getting the right advice from an expert will help ensure that you can safely add water to your boiler without any issues. Also, by regularly checking and maintaining your boiler, you can help to extend its lifespan and prevent any future accidents.