Boilers are remarkably sturdy systems, much more so than furnaces and other forced air systems. This is because they have far fewer moving parts, which makes for fewer potential problems that they have to deal with. This does not make boilers invincible, however. There is a serious issue that afflicts quite a few boilers across the country: it’s called kettling. Read on to find out more about kettling, and the threat it poses to your boiler.
What is Kettling?
Kettling is a problem with your boiler’s heat exchanger, caused by long-term hard water exposure. The most common external sign of kettling is a deep rumbling sound, which usually serves as the first warning to homeowners.
Hard water is water with a high mineral content. It deposits small amounts of those minerals on the walls of the heat exchanger over time. Eventually, the mineral deposits grow large enough to restrict the flow of water through the pipe. These large deposits are called lime scale.