Inspect the Cold Boiler System 

The first thing you need to do is inspect the boiler before re-commissioning it. It’s wise to have a checklist of items to ensure a comprehensive look at the system. A few areas you need to inspect include: 

• Check the valves and system for any evidence of calcium deposits or leaks.
• Check the expansion joints and make sure they can expand properly when the system warms up.
• Take a look at the fuel supply. Make sure the pre-heating equipment is functional. Confirm the tank is full. If there is any firing gas, make sure the pressure is appropriate. 
• Make sure all inspection openings have been properly gasketed and closed. 

After you complete these steps, you can move on to the next area. 

Open the Vents and Fill with Water

Next, you need to open up the boiler vents. Start with the manual boiler feed valve. Ensure all the blowdown valves are closed properly. Open the manual gas valves and make sure they are not leaking.

After this, you should fill the boiler with water. Make sure you fill it to the appropriate level based on the sight glass. When you do this, be sure to look at the boiler feed system. Make sure the pumps have been aligned properly, and look at the feed water valve for any signs of leaks or damage. 

Finally, you should take a look at the condensate transfer pumps throughout the system. Make sure they are working appropriately. 

Engage the Burner Switch

Now, you are ready to turn on the boiler. Engage the burner switch and turn on the control circuit. Start to warm the boiler slowly, and allow it to expand gradually. Keep an eye on the gauge glass on the low water cut-off. Make sure the proper level is met. 

As the boiler continues to warm up, make sure the operating systems are working properly. Take a look at the water softener and make sure that it is functional as well. Once the boiler is warmed up, switch it over to automatic operation.

Proper Cold Boiler Shut Down

Once you are ready to shut down your boiler, turn off the burner. Make sure you shut off the fuel supply to the boiler as well. If the superheater outlet drain valve is equipped, open this up.

Next, you should close the main steam stop valve. Make sure all the drains are open. Finally, shut down the entire boiler feed system. This will make sure you turn your boiler off properly.

Contact McKenna Boiler for Help with Boiler Maintenance

Whether you have a hot boiler or a cold boiler, you have to make sure you turn it on and shut it down properly. That way, you can keep your utility bills low, reduce your maintenance expenses, and get as many years of use as possible out of your boiler system. That is where we can assist you. We are McKenna Boiler, and it would be our pleasure to help you with boiler maintenance and repairs. We will make sure you get as much out of your boilers as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our boilers, boiler accessories, services and more.

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There are several reasons why businesses have to rely on effective steam traps. First, they filter out air and condensate without allowing steam to escape. They minimize steam loss by reducing the chance of blockages from forming in the internal lining of the pipes. Second, boiler steam traps also prevent the steam from returning to the boiler where it may cause physical damage. In order to make sure your steam traps are functioning properly, you need to invest in a routine boiler steam trap survey. Why is this important? 

How do Boiler Steam Traps Work?

The primary goal of steam traps is to separate steam from air and condensate. There are multiple types of steam traps including inverted bucket steam traps, mechanical traps, thermostatic traps, and thermodynamic traps. They all have slightly different mechanisms, but ultimately achieve the same end goal. 

For example, mechanical traps function based on density changes. Steam has a different density from water and air, allowing the steam crab to effectively separate the entities. Thermodynamic traps use fluid dynamics to separate steam from the air. If you are looking for a new steam trap, work with our McKenna Boiler technicians who present the benefits and drawbacks of each option in order to find the best one for your business. We offer free steam trap surveys and would be happy to assist you. 

What Happens if Your Boiler Steam Trap Isn’t Working Properly?

If your steam trap is not working properly, there are a variety of issues that could develop. For example, the old water might not be able to escape. This can impact the efficiency and productivity of your pipes and pumps. Any type of leakage will result in your boiler exerting more energy in order to produce the same level of latent heat. Boiler steam traps greatly impact the efficiency of your entire boiler. Furthermore, you’ll quickly be operating at a loss if the steam trap isn’t repaired soon. If the utility bills are increasing every month, this is a strong indicator that the steam trap is not doing its job. In order to detect problems early on, schedule routine steam trap surveys with these money and time-saving techniques. 

Why Schedule a Steam Trap Survey?

As a boiler owner, you can audit your steam traps regularly through a steam trap survey. A steam trap survey provides you with insight into the condition of your boiler. By scheduling a routine steam trap survey, you can make sure that your boiler is operating efficiently, helping you save money. In addition, you may be able to detect issues with your steam traps before they get out of hand. This can help you avoid costly repairs. Finally, you can also extend the longevity of your boiler. The two common methods to test your steam trap are:

• Visual Observation – Depending on the location of the steam trap, you should be able to see if steam is escaping from the pipes. If you suspect that there’s a leak, a boiler technician will continue the visual inspection by using a stethoscope and thermography to gain clarity on the inner piping conditions.
• Temperature Differentials – This method is recommended for smaller boiler systems. A properly working steam trap should have a 10-20 degrees Farenheit difference between the inlet and outlet. The reason why this method doesn’t work with larger plants is because it’s difficult to distinguish between steam leaks and regular condensate discharge. For bigger scale boilers, we recommend seeking boiler repair services who can provide immediate support and relief. 

McKenna Boiler Offers a Free Steam Trap SurveyIf you are looking for someone who can help you get the most out of your steam trap, we are here to help you. McKenna Boiler prides ourselves in consistently delivering turn-key boiler solutions for over 100 years. To ensure the efficiency of your steam trap, one of our skilled technicians will measure the temperature on either side to confirm that it is working properly. He or she will also use the latest equipment to measure the performance of each individual trap, including the line pressures. Then, we will let you know if anything has to happen to improve your steam trap. Contact us today to learn more about these services and more!

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An Overview of Preventive Boiler Maintenance

As the name suggests, the goal of preventive maintenance is to actively maintain your machinery. That way, you can prevent mechanical errors, damages, and malfunctions by taking care of your boiler when it’s offline. You should invest in routine inspections, cleaning, and other practices to assess the exact needs of your equipment before it develops problems.

Inspecting your boiler on a regular basis can be difficult. With changing compliance regulations in your industry, you should work with boiler experts who stay up-to-date on these regulations. Trained technicians can keep your boiler on track with respect to routine maintenance. By individually assessing each component of your boiler, damaged parts can be replaced, repaired and cleaned as often as necessary. In turn, a properly maintained boiler will reduce the chance of major problems from forming. 

It is true that preventive maintenance will cost money. On the other hand, it’s an investment on the most critical machinery in your production line. It is far cheaper to maintain your boiler than to constantly repair it. Furthermore, preventive maintenance can also improve the efficiency of your industrial boiler, reducing the amount of money you spend on utility bills. 

Take Advantage of Predictive Boiler Maintenance

Another type of maintenance is called predictive maintenance. This is the process of incorporating advanced technology and monitoring of individual systems. This program will monitor vibrations, emissions, deficiency readings and more. The goal of this system is to calculate your current operations. Then, using historical data, these programs anticipate potential repairs. With data analysis, you can assess the workload of your boiler and predict when your boiler will have to be serviced to prevent repairs. That way, you can schedule maintenance visits in advance. This allows your company to prepare for upcoming downtime.

In order to take advantage of predictive maintenance, you need to record relevant data on your machinery. Then, operators can reach out to servicing professionals well in advance of the next visit. If you take advantage of controls that measure outputs and individual correlations, you can extend the life of your boiler. 

This type of boiler maintenance can be helpful. You need to assess cost, safety, regulations, your schedule and the output of your boiler. If you put both of these practices to work, you can improve the efficiency of your boiler and get more years out of them. We are here to help you do exactly that. 

Rely on the Trained Professionals at McKenna Boiler for Boiler Maintenance Services

If you want to keep your overhead expenses as low as possible, you need to work with trained professionals who can accurately assess the needs of your commercial or industrial boiler. That is where our team can assist you. A McKenna Boiler, we consistently place the needs of our plans ahead of our own. By leveraging the best practices in our industry, we can place you in the best position possible to get the most out of your boiler. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team! It would be our pleasure to assist you.

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Make Sure to Keep the Boiler Room Clean

One of the first safety tips everyone should follow is to keep the boiler room as clean as possible. Even though this might sound simple, a lot of people forget about it. Unfortunately, a lot of companies use their boiler room as a place to store just about everything. If you clutter the room, the air circulation in the room will suffer. As a result, carbon monoxide (CO2) will be produced. Furthermore, the fuel in your building might not combust appropriately.

In order to prevent this from happening, keep the boiler room as clean as possible. If you see items on the floor, move them unless they absolutely have to be there. The only purpose of that room should be the storage of your boiler.

Additionally, the boiler system should be regularly cleaned and dusted to prevent rust from forming at critical points on the pipes. Establish a daily routine for a complete wipe down of the boiler to ensure that the boiler is properly cleaned. This will help you catch any leaks or breaks early on rather than later when bigger issues arise. Any time you see an issue, big or small, you should seek professional boiler mechanical services to address your concerns.

Invest in Continuing Education for the Boiler System

There are numerous types of steam boilers and hot water boilers out there. They are not the same. Therefore, anyone who is going to be working with the boiler on a regular basis has to be trained to use it appropriately. One of the most common reasons why people have issues with their boilers is that they simply don’t know how to operate this precious machinery. 

If you want your boiler to run well, make sure everyone who uses it has been properly trained to do so. All users have to know how to interact with new controls. If the boiler gets an upgrade, make sure everyone understands what the upgrade means for the boiler’s daily operations. You can rely on our boiler technicians at McKenna Boiler who will provide in-depth training and information about all types of boilers to help train your employees. 

Have Your Boiler Inspected and Maintained by a Trained Professional

Finally, you should stay up to date on the maintenance of your boiler. This means getting it inspected regularly. You may think that if nothing is wrong with your boiler, you don’t need to do anything to fix it. Though this may be the case, taking care of your boiler should focus on preventative measures rather than troubleshooting noticeable concerns. That’s where boiler mechanical services can help your business operations by handling the harder maintenance tasks that require a trained eye to solve these problems.

You may think that you can do this on your own by simply reading the manual. This is not the case. In order to properly service a boiler, you need to have the right training. Therefore, rely on trained professionals who are familiar with the inner workings of your boiler. They have been trained to spot the smallest of errors. That way, you can identify and fix issues with your boiler before they spiral out of hand. If you get your boiler maintained on time, every time, it will take care of you.

Contact McKenna Boiler Today for Boiler Maintenance Services

If you are looking for boiler mechanical services or boiler maintenance services, then look no further than McKenna Boiler. At McKenna Boiler, we have the training and expertise necessary to help you take proper care of your boiler. If you want to keep your efficiency high and your bills low, rely on us to service your boiler regularly. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your boiler!

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No Heat or No Hot Water

This is one of the most common problems that people might experience with their boiler during the winter. If there isn’t any heat or hot water coming from the boiler, there are a few possible problems that could be the cause. These include:

• The circulator pump might be experiencing problems. If the circulator pump is running, then a trained professional will take a closer look at the surface of the pump to see if it is running hot. There are some cases where the circulator pump might not be running at all. Or, it might be overheating.
• If the problem is not the circulator pump, then there might be an issue with the ignitor. If the ignitor is not working, then the boiler won’t light. There might also be a problem with the boilers pilot valve assembly. Trained professionals will take a look at the vent pipes and make sure there are no blockages.
• There could also be an issue with the relay switch. If there is a buzzing sound coming from the boiler, then the control may not be operating correctly. This could prevent the boiler from operating the relay appropriately. To fix this problem, a trained professional can remove the control cover and fix this problem.

These are a few of the boiler problems that might be leading to a lack of heat or hot water coming from the boiler.

The Boiler Keeps Shutting Down During the Winter

If the problem is that the boiler seems to keep shutting down, then the problem might be frozen pipes. A buildup of condensation might also cause a blockage in the lines. If there is an error display on the thermostat or if there is an error display on the boiler itself, then this could be a sign that the pipes are frozen. There might also be a bubbling or gurgling sound coming from the pipes. Insulating the pipes during the winter can help prevent the pipes from freezing. Any pipe issue needs to be addressed immediately by boiler professionals who can assess and repair your boiler. 

The Boiler Is Too Noisy

One of the most common causes of a noisy boiler during the winter is something called kittling. This is similar to the sound that a tea kettle makes when it starts to boil. The culprit is usually lime that runs through the boiler. A trained professional can try to flush the boiler to fix this problem. If this doesn’t work, then the heat exchanged might need to be replaced.

Trust the Team from McKenna Boilers for All Boiler Service Needs

If you are looking for help with boiler maintenance services, then rely on the team from McKenna Boilers. At McKenna Boilers, we provide outstanding boiler service to all of our clients. Our boiler maintenance services will make sure that your boiler works well when you need it most. If you are looking for trained professionals who can help you take care of your boiler, then contact us today!

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Insulate or Heat All Pipes in Your Plumbing System

One of the biggest risks that arises during the winter involves freezing water pipes. When water freezes, it expands. If water freezes in your commercial pipes, the pipes might rupture. Then, when the water thaws, you will end up with flooding in crucial parts of your building. Therefore, make sure that all of your water pipes are properly insulated and heated. They need to be kept above 32 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. You can use either electrical or steam-based heating lines to ensure that your boiler survives the cold weather. Keep in mind that if your heat tracing system is based on steam, it is only going to operate one more boiler is running. 

Drain Your Boiler When it Is Not in Use

If you are not planning on keeping your boiler running at all times during the winter, then you should make sure to drain the boiler and all water lines connected to it. This will markedly reduce the risk of water freezing in your pipes. When water is allowed to sit idle, there is a much higher chance of freezing. Keep in mind that if you do shut down your boiler, it will take time to warm up when you restart it. If you increase the temperature or pressure in your boiler too quickly when you turn it on again, this could seriously damage the joints, pistons, and metal parts in your boiler. Heating your boiler up too quickly could result in expansion breakage. 

Check Your Flow of Fuel

If your fuel oil lines are not properly insulated or heated, the viscosity of the fuel in the lines could become too high for your fuel pump. As a result, this could impact the flow of fuel through your lines, leading to permanent damage to your pump. Remember that standard oil starts to gel at around 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, make sure that your lines are well above this limit. In addition to heating and insulating your fuel lines, you could also switch your fuel to a winter mix. A traditional winter mix is about 50 percent fuel and 50 percent kerosene. 

Professional Boiler Service With McKenna Boilers

If you are getting your boiler ready for the winter season, then you need to invest in boiler maintenance services from McKenna Boilers. At McKenna Boilers, we provide premier boiler service and repair professionals to ensure your boiler is ready for the cold temperatures. Your boiler is going to work hard this winter, so make sure it can handle this workload with our boiler maintenance services. Contact us today to learn more about how our boiler service and repair experts can help you get your boiler ready for the winter season!

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