Maintaining the health and efficiency of your outdoor boiler goes beyond just installation and regular cleaning; it requires proper water treatment. If you’ve made an investment in an outdoor boiler to heat your home or property, you likely want it to continue operating efficiently for many years to come. However, not taking care of the water treatment process can result in serious problems that will shorten the life of your boiler and affect its performance. In this article, we review what happens if you do not treat the water in your outdoor boiler and why it is very important to treat the water quality. 

1. Scaling and Mineral Buildup

The most common problem associated with untreated water concerning an outdoor boiler will be scaling. Scaling consists of natural minerals in the water, which include calcium and magnesium. As the water that has not been treated circulates within your boiler system, these minerals could settle down and develop scale buildup; over time, it would result in a thick coat of scale over important components, such as the heat exchanger. This scale buildup encumbers the efficiency of your boiler in heat transfer, making the system work harder than it has to while increasing energy consumption along with the wear on parts. 

2. Corrosion and Rust

Apart from freezing, the other big risk for untreated outdoor boilers is corrosion. Water containing oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other impurities will lead to rust and corrosion within the system. Over time, this will wear away the metal components in your boiler, causing leaks and structural weakening or a complete failure of the system, which comes at a great cost. The nature of corrosion is particularly damaging, since it is a silent type that creeps slowly before the full effects are realized.

3. Clogging and Reduced Water Flow

Untreated water may contain dirt, debris, and organic matter that can settle in your outdoor boiler pipes and water pathways. These buildups can eventually block the system, reducing water flow and overheating the boiler. Poor water circulation can further promote temperature fluctuations, which impact the comfort level of your home or facility. Over time, these problems will lead to extensive damage, which in turn will make regular maintenance more costly and labor-intensive.

4. Increased Maintenance Costs

Without proper water treatment, you can expect more frequent repairs, which also just happen to be a great deal more expensive. Eventually, the scale buildup, corrosion, and clogging that occur over time will result in the replacement of components such as the heat exchanger, pump, or piping. In addition to the cost of parts, labor for repairs can quickly rise, adding a lot to your maintenance costs. The more your outdoor boiler struggles to operate through these problems, the harder it works and the higher your utility bills will rise.

5. Reduced Efficiency and Shortened Lifespan

Due to all the above-mentioned issues, your outdoor boiler will have to work harder and thus run less efficiently. This lowered efficiency not only equates to higher operating costs but also a shorter lifespan of the unit itself. A non-maintained boiler could wear out in a fraction of the time when compared to one that is taken care of well. If you do not treat your water, you will essentially shorten the useful life of your system and thus make an early replacement necessary.

6. Increased Risk of System Failure

Lastly, not treating your outdoor boiler water significantly raises the chances of a total system failure. When the buildup of scale, corrosion, and debris becomes too much without treatment, you are more likely to have a catastrophic breakdown that may lead to a full shutdown of your heating system. If your heating system were to suddenly fail in the middle of the cold months, it would be very inconvenient and costly to repair. By proactively treating your water, you help prevent this worst-case scenario.

Conclusion

Neglecting water treatment in an outdoor boiler will result in severe damage, inefficiency, and increased costs over a period of time. Be it scaling, corrosion, or efficiency reduction, the untreated water will surely shorten the life of your system and increase maintenance costs. To avoid these problems, consider using Certified Liquid Armor Water Treatment, designed to protect your boiler from harmful contaminants, extend its lifespan, and ensure it runs efficiently. Invest in water treatment to protect not just your system but also your heating needs with minimal fuss.

Ready to protect your outdoor boiler? Explore Certified Liquid Armor Water Treatment by visiting outdoorboiler.com and take the first step toward maintaining a long-lasting, efficient boiler system.