Protect Your Boiler from Freeze Damage this Winter

When winter comes along, freeze protection should be a major consideration for any boiler owner or renter. Protecting your boiler from freeze damage is simple: enclose, insulate, and/or heat trace. If you continue operations as usual and allow your boiler to be exposed to near or below freezing temperatures, you will have a high probability of costly damage and system failures.

Below are a few reminders on the proper steps to take when it comes time to protect your temporary or permanent boiler system from the cold climate.

  - Enclose both the front and rear of the boiler, or build a full temporary enclosure, and utilize an external heating source.
  - Install the proper heat tracing (steam or electronic) and insulation to all of your main lines and piping components, regardless of if the
    boiler is in operation or not. This includes the following lines:
   
Sensing lines
          - Auxiliary low-water cut-off
          - Water column
          - Level control blowdown
          - Main and continuous blowdown, depending on length of piping runs
  - During non-operation times, drain and fill all sensing lines with a 50/50 water/glycol solution, making sure to re-connect each line.
  - When an extended downtime is expected, completely drain the boiler and all stagnant water lines.

In addition to the recommendations above, use sound engineering calls when it comes to deciding the correct freeze protection measures. And if you happen to have damage this winter, we have your back with a rental boiler to get you by during the repairs!