Boiler Leaking Repair Service — Greater Vancouver

Common Causes of Boiler Leaks

Boiler leaks can originate from several different components, and the repair approach depends entirely on which one has failed:

• Pressure-Relief Valve (PRV): The most common leak source. If system pressure exceeds safe limits, the PRV discharges water — usually through a pipe to the exterior. A continuously dripping PRV often indicates a failed expansion vessel or an over-pressurized system, not necessarily a bad valve.
• Pump Seals: The circulating pump's mechanical seal wears over time, especially in systems with dirty water or sludge. A leaking pump seal drips from the pump body and requires pump replacement or rebuild.
• Heat Exchanger: The most serious leak source. A cracked or corroded heat exchanger leaks internally or externally and is often caused by sustained over-firing, poor water quality, or lack of annual maintenance. Depending on the unit's age and warranty status, this may call for heat exchanger replacement or a full boiler replacement.
• Pipe Joints and Fittings: Over time, expansion and contraction can loosen threaded fittings and compression joints, especially on older installations where original pipe dope or tape has degraded.
• Condensate Leaks: In condensing boilers, acidic condensate drains through plastic piping to a floor drain or condensate pump. Blockages, cracked fittings, or a failed condensate neutralizer can cause leaks that are often mistaken for a more serious problem.
• Auto Air Vent: These small automatic bleeders can stick open over time, dripping water onto the top of the unit. They are inexpensive to replace but often overlooked as the leak source.

Our Boiler Leak Repair Process

When you call us for a leaking boiler, here is what happens from start to finish:

• Step 1 — Shut Down and Safety Check: We isolate the boiler from the gas and water supply, drain pressure, and assess whether the leak has caused any electrical or structural damage to surrounding components.
• Step 2 — Pressurize and Locate: We re-pressurize the system in a controlled manner and systematically trace every potential leak point — from the heat exchanger to the PRV discharge pipe — using visual inspection and, where needed, a digital leak detector or pressure-decay test.
• Step 3 — Fixed Written Quote: Once we know exactly what is leaking and why, we provide a fixed-price written quote for the repair. No estimates, no ranges, no surprises.
• Step 4 — Repair with OEM Parts: We carry common seals, gaskets, PRVs, pump cartridge kits, auto air vents, and condensate components for most major brands. Repairs are completed on the spot whenever possible.
• Step 5 — Re-pressurize and Verify: After the repair, we re-pressurize the system, top up inhibitor, run a full combustion analysis, and verify that pressure holds steady with the boiler at operating temperature.
• Step 6 — Post-Repair Prevention: We identify what caused the leak in the first place — whether it's a failed expansion vessel stressing the PRV, dirty system water eating pump seals, or lack of maintenance — and give you clear recommendations to prevent recurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions