Cold radiators, noises and leaks
Boiler trouble shows up in the house before it shows up at the boiler. Some rooms stay cold while others overheat. Pipes bang or gurgle. A puddle grows under the unit, or the pressure gauge keeps falling.
| What you notice | Likely cause | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| Whole house cold, boiler silent | Power, thermostat, gas supply or ignition fault | Controls, ignition and gas supply |
| Radiators warm at the bottom, cold at the top | Air trapped in the loop | Bleed valves and the air removal device |
| Pressure drops again after refilling | Leak somewhere in the system, or a failed expansion tank | Pressure test, expansion tank, relief valve |
| Pipes knocking or kettle sounds | Scale or sludge in the boiler, or low water flow | Circulator pump and boiler water |
| Puddle under the boiler | Leaking valve, fitting or a cracked heat exchanger | Source of the water, then repair options |
| Boiler cycles on and off quickly | Oversized setup or a fault with the limit control | Controls and flow |
We diagnose before we replace anything, and we tell you plainly when a repair is not worth the cost.
Gas smells and carbon monoxide
A gas smell means leave right away, move a safe distance from the house, and call Nicor Gas on 888-642-6748 and 911. A sounding carbon monoxide alarm means the same. Do not reset the boiler or relight the pilot while the alarm is going, and do not go back inside until responders say it is safe.
Nicor publishes the steps on its emergency information page.
What we repair on a boiler
Pressure and expansion
Fill valves, relief valves and expansion tanks that keep system pressure steady.
Circulator pumps
Pumps that fail, seize or run noisily and leave zones cold.
Leaks
Leaking valves, unions, fittings and pipes around the boiler and along the loop.
Air and flow
Air removal devices, bleed valves, zone valves and flow problems.
Some boiler work, such as a cracked heat exchanger, a failed combustion setup or a worn-out cast iron boiler, may be beyond a repair. We tell you that and lay out the options, which can include a new unit.
A boiler is part of your plumbing
A boiler touches the water side of your house. It has a fill line from the domestic supply, a relief valve with a discharge pipe, and often a backflow device. Most of what fails there is plumbing, which is why plumbers handle it.
If your boiler also feeds an indirect water heater, a heating problem can take away hot water too. In that case our water heater repair team looks at both sides of the system.
Older homes in Woodridge and their heating systems
The median Woodridge home dates to 1980, and about 69 percent were built before 1990. Houses from the 1940 to 1969 group are more likely to have older hydronic systems with original piping, valves and expansion tanks. The age of those parts matters more than the age of the boiler.
January lows average about 19 degrees at the nearest weather station. A boiler that fails on a cold night is a real problem, and a frozen pipe near the unit is a bigger one. If the house is cold, keep the doors to heated rooms closed and call.
Before you call
- Check the thermostat is set to heat and has power
- Look at the pressure gauge and note the reading
- Check for water on the floor and photograph it
- Write down any error code on the boiler display
- Do not bleed radiators repeatedly or refill the system without understanding the cause
If you are planning new heating or fixtures, our plumbing installation service covers the piping side of the project. Landlords and property managers can call for a single unit or a whole building.
Permits, inspections and licensing
Woodridge lists all electrical and plumbing work as permit work, and has adopted the Illinois State Plumbing Code with local amendments. Whether a particular boiler job needs a permit is a question for Community Development at 630-719-4750. See the Village permit FAQ.
Check any contractor on the IDPH license lookup. We are licensed and insured, and we also serve nearby Downers Grove.
What changes the cost of boiler work
A bleed valve and a cracked heat exchanger sit at opposite ends of the range, so we cannot name a number without seeing the system. You get a clear price before work starts.
Insurance policies differ. Many treat a sudden burst differently from wear or a slow leak. Read your policy or ask your agent first.
Ask Community Development whether your boiler repair needs a permit before work starts. The Village of Woodridge has adopted the Illinois State Plumbing Code, and permitted work is inspected against that standard.
Questions we hear
Usually a leak somewhere in the loop, a failed expansion tank or a relief valve that keeps releasing. A pressure test finds out which.
Maybe. Trapped air, a failed pump or a stuck zone valve can all do it. We trace the cause before replacing anything.
Leave the house, call 911 and Nicor Gas on 888-642-6748, and stay out until responders say it is safe.
Tell us the type of system when you call. We will say whether it is work we can do.
A steady leak or water near electrical equipment is. Shut off the boiler and the water feed, then call the 24/7 line.
Ask Community Development at 630-719-4750. Replacement and gas or venting changes are more likely to need one.
Yes. Managers can call about one unit or a building system.
If the boiler is beyond repair, a planned water heater installation conversation can cover the hot water side while you decide.