Safety Rules For Boilers
If you smell gas, leave the building and call 911 or the gas utility. If a CO alarm sounds, go outside and call 911. Do not reset a boiler that has locked out repeatedly, since the lockout is a safety response to a real fault.
Never plug or adjust a pressure relief valve, and never remove a boiler cover while the unit is running. Boilers hold hot water under pressure, and a mistake can cause scalding or worse.
Common Boiler Faults
| Symptom | Likely cause | Homeowner check |
|---|---|---|
| No heat | No power, no gas, lockout or tripped limit | Check the switch, breaker and thermostat |
| Low pressure | Leak or a failed fill valve | Read the gauge and note how fast it drops |
| High pressure | Failed expansion tank | Do not adjust, and call |
| Banging or kettling | Scale or trapped air | Note when it happens |
| Cold radiators at the top | Air in the system | Bleed the radiator |
| Water on the floor | Leaking valve, fitting or tank | Turn off the boiler and call |
Boiler Down in Winter?
Call the 24/7 line. Same-day appointments are offered when available, and you hear the price first.
Safe Checks Before You Call
- 1
Check the thermostat
Make sure it is set to heat and above the room temperature.
- 2
Check power
Confirm the boiler switch and breaker are on.
- 3
Read the pressure
Most home boilers run in a normal range printed on the gauge. Note what it reads.
- 4
Look for codes
An error code helps the plumber bring the right part.
- 5
Bleed radiators
If only some are cold, bleed trapped air at the radiator valve.
What a Plumber Fixes
A plumber tests ignition, gas pressure, controls, the circulator pump, valves and the expansion tank. Many faults come down to a sensor, a pump or a valve, which are replaced and tested. A cracked heat exchanger is serious, and often means replacement.
Our boiler repair page explains the process. If the boiler serves a building, see commercial plumbing for how shared systems are handled after hours.
Prepare Before the Heating Season
- Schedule a service visit in early fall
- Test CO alarms and replace batteries
- Clear the area around the boiler
- Bleed radiators and check for leaks
- Know where the shutoff valves are
Hot Water Boilers Versus Steam
Most residential boilers heat water that circulates through baseboard or radiators. Steam boilers make steam that rises to radiators and condenses back to water. They have different controls and different failure modes, so the first step is knowing which you have.
Steam systems need the right water level and clean pipes, and a failure to do the regular checks can damage the boiler. Hot water systems depend on pressure, flow and trapped air. Your boiler manual describes the right maintenance.
Annual Service Is Not Optional
A yearly service visit includes burner cleaning, combustion testing, safety control checks and a look for leaks and corrosion. It catches problems before the first cold night and keeps efficiency up.
Book it early, before the rush. Plumbers get busy at the first cold snap, and an early visit leaves time to order a part if one is needed, so you are not without heat on a bad night.
Repair Or Replace A Boiler
A boiler that is more than a couple of decades old, needs repairs every year or shows rust at the heat exchanger may be better replaced. Newer models are more efficient and have safer controls, which can offset part of the cost.
A plumber can give you repair and replacement numbers side by side. Ask about the age of the radiators and piping too, since a new boiler works best with a system that is sound and balanced.
Efficiency And Running Costs
Boiler efficiency drops when burners are dirty, when radiators are blocked by furniture and when the system is out of balance. Cleaning, bleeding and setting the thermostat sensibly can reduce your heating bill.
Insulating pipes in unheated areas keeps heat where you want it and protects against freezing. Ask the plumber which runs are worth wrapping, and check them each fall before the cold arrives.
Keep the boiler manual, the service records and the installer's contact in one place near the unit. In an outage, the model number and the last service date are the first things a plumber will ask, and having them ready shortens the visit and the wait for heat.
If the boiler heats a building with several units, post a notice with the plumber's name and the expected timing. Tenants cope better with an outage when they know what is happening, and it cuts the number of calls to the manager during the repair. Ask the plumber for a rough window, and share any change as soon as you hear it.
Codes and Buildings in Rolling Meadows
The Illinois Plumbing Code is 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890, enforced by municipal inspectors. The City of Rolling Meadows plumbing FAQ states that single-wall vent pipe needs 6 inches of clearance to combustibles and B-vent needs 1 inch, rules that matter after a boiler or heater replacement.
The city's 2018 plan notes that about a third of housing is rented and multifamily buildings stand three to four stories, so boiler outages often affect several households. Tenants should tell the property manager first, who can authorize the repair.
Nearby Service
We dispatch from Rolling Meadows and also serve Palatine. See Palatine emergency plumbing for how to reach us there.
If the boiler is old, ask the plumber for both repair and replacement options. A clear price before work starts lets you compare, and nothing extra is done without your approval.
Sources and Local Rules Behind This Page
Plumbing work in Illinois is governed by the Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890, which municipal inspectors enforce, and the Illinois Department of Public Health licenses plumbers. The permit and vent clearance notes here come from the City of Rolling Meadows plumbing FAQ, according to which a new or replacement water heater needs a permit.
We name these sources so you can check them yourself. Rules and phone numbers change, so confirm with the city office or the state before you rely on any detail for a permit or a purchase.
Common Questions
Simple checks such as thermostat, power and bleeding radiators are fine. Gas, pressure and combustion work should be left to a plumber.
A leak or a failed fill valve is the usual cause. Note how quickly it drops and call.
Trapped air. Bleeding the radiator usually fixes it.
Six inches for single-wall and 1 inch for B-vent, per the city plumbing FAQ.
Ask Community Development, since requirements depend on the work.
Usually the property manager or owner. Tell them first.
Still not sure what you are dealing with? Call (847) 281-8626 and describe it to our dispatcher.