Boiler kettling refers to a boiler making sounds that are reminiscent of the noise made when a kettle is boiling water. These sounds include bubbling noises and banging which can be quite alarming when you don’t know what is happening. Below we discuss the causes of kettling and whether it is dangerous.
Causes of Boiler Kettling
In many cases, boiler kettling is caused by lime scale deposits or sludge building up within the boiler. When lime deposits or sludge collect on the boiler’s heat exchange, it restricts to flow of water, trapping it within the heat exchange. This causes the water to reach temperatures high enough to boil, which should not happen. The boiling causes the distinctive kettling sound.
In other cases, boiler kettling might be caused by:
- an incorrectly installed boiler
- a faulty boiler thermostat
- a boiler pump that is stuck
The Dangers of Boiler Kettling
Although hearing a boiler kettling may cause alarm, most modern boilers have safety controls that will turn the boiler off before it overheats. The likelihood that a boiler will explode when a kettling sound is heard is low, but maintenance is still required to fix the issue. If the boiler is not properly fixed, it could lead to more significant problems and costly repairs.
If you are hearing bubbling and banging noises from the boiler in your Delaware or Maryland home, contact First Class HVAC for service. Depending on the cause of the kettling, we can replace faulty boiler parts, add preventative components, or flush and clean your system. Our friendly, certified professionals have been providing help in the Delmarva area for over 40 years.