How to purge a gas boiler and how to lower the pressure of the boiler

Winter is always a season that makes us shiver with cold, so before it arrives, we recommend that you be prepared before it is too late and the cold has already reached your home. In this case, it is very important that we have a heating system that is in perfect condition to ensure that it works efficiently and does not have any accumulation of air, especially if we have a gas boiler.

In this way, by guaranteeing correct maintenance and purging, we can be sure that we will enjoy the great advantages offered by gas boilers over any other heating system, in addition to avoiding running out of hot water or heating in our home. On the one hand, we will simply notice that some radiators stop heating and, on the other hand, a dangerous rise in temperature can occur.

Among the benefits offered by boilers, the precise temperature control thanks to its thermostat and the price, which tends to be very cheap, stand out. On the other hand, they are appliances that take up less space than other heating systems, which tend to accumulate air in the pipes that transport the hot air from the heating circuit, significantly reducing the heating capacity. Keep in mind that an indication on the part of the boiler that warns when it is necessary to purge the gas boiler is the emission of a characteristic noise when the appliance is turned on.

On the other hand, these devices work with clean energy, since they do not generate CO2, so they do not pollute the environment. In addition, they are very resistant systems, which are famous for working for long periods of time before they suffer any breakdown or failure. Of course, special attention must be paid to this point, since everything depends on the frequency of maintenance that you do, bearing in mind that in each winter season the use of boilers intensifies remarkably.

We will notice, at some point, especially when winter arrives and after the boiler has been out of operation for a long time, that when it is turned on there is a drop in pressure. The problem is generated when the air inside the boiler cools because, as the air is denser at cold temperature, it takes up less space, which is compensated with water, which lowers the pressure of the boiler. On the other hand, there is also the possibility that the pressure of the boiler rises, so the best solution in the event of a variation in the pressure of your boiler is to purge it.

If the pressure rises, you should first look at the filler valve and make sure it is properly closed. Try squeezing it and see if the pressure normalizes. By doing this, you have already solved the increase. If the pressure in the boiler does not drop, you will need to bleed the radiators first, as it is possible that there are air bubbles inside your radiators. This causes a malfunction of the boiler.

Steps you must follow to purge a gas boiler

First of all, you must find the location of the boiler trap, which is a small accessory where a flat tool, such as a screwdriver, is placed. After finding the bleeder, proceed to place the flat screwdriver, making sure that, under the radiator and specifically the bleeder, you have placed a glass or any container that works to collect the water that will start to spill.

Having everything ready, turn the screwdriver in the same way as when you open a faucet, usually in a counterclockwise direction. At that moment, the excess water will begin to come out from inside your radiator, so we recommend that the container has a good diameter and can receive the water without much difficulty.

The opening of the bleeder with the help of the flat screwdriver must be done very slowly, otherwise, if you unscrew it suddenly or suddenly and quickly, you will have an uncontrollable jet of water as a result.

If you have a heating system in your home that works individually with your boiler, it is very important that you take into account disconnecting the boiler one hour before you are going to purge your gas boiler. In this way, the air will rise to the top of the radiator and you will avoid any accident or damage to your equipment.

It is very important to use a barometer at the time of the purge, since it is necessary to check the pressure of your boiler marked by the barometer, which can be both water and digital. You will need to know in advance the ideal pressure of your boiler model specified on the package or instruction manual, a value that normally varies between 1 and 1.5 bar of pressure.

There are even models that have an automatic purge system that will help you if you have less time to pay attention to this process. However, you must be very careful, since sometimes this automatic purge system leaves a drip that can break the boiler, even causing a flood.

Finally, we must consider that purging a gas boiler is really easy, however, if we do not have much experience with these devices or their purging, it is highly recommended to be very careful to avoid spilling more water than necessary.