Petri Plumbing & Heating shares tips to keep Brooklyn hot-water boilers ready for winter

With regular maintenance, familiar boiler systems in older homes can provide reliable service for years

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Dec 17, 2019, 07:00 ET

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Dec. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc., a family-owned home service company serving Brooklyn and Manhattan for more than 100 years, advises New York homeowners to recognize the most common winter boiler breakdowns in order to prevent accidents, wasted energy and temporary loss of heat.

Brooklyn home service expert Michael Petri from Petri Plumbing & Heating provides tips to keep residential boiler systems safe and reliable.

"Hot-water boilers are still a common source of heat for many people in New York and other big cities, particularly those living in historic homes and older apartment buildings," said Michael Petri, owner of Petri Plumbing & Heating. "There are good reasons boilers are still around: They're reliable, clean and efficient. But boilers require more upkeep and attention than modern electric and natural gas heating systems."

With proper maintenance and annual professional inspections, boilers can be among the longest-lasting heating systems. Petri recommends homeowners look out for some of the most common problems that affect boiler systems:

Kettling: Mineral deposits inside the boiler system can affect water pressure. Sometimes the change in pressure overheats the water and the resulting steam inside the system rattles and bangs like a tea kettle. Flushing the system once or twice a year keeps deposits in check.
Leaks: Low water levels in a boiler unit can be a safety hazard and also reduce a system's efficiency. Some leaks can be solved by adjusting a valve but others might mean corrosion inside the unit and will require full boiler replacement.
Ignition issues: An unreliable pilot light or electric ignition can be frustrating – and a sign of potential gas connection issues. Consult a professional to avoid the safety risk associated with gas.
No heat or hot water: The problem could be as simple as a thermostat setting or as serious as a major leak.

Most boiler inspections and repairs should be conducted by professionals to reduce the risk of fires, temporary heat loss and water damage. But Petri suggests DIY steps that homeowners can take to assess the performance of their boiler systems:

Perform regular visual inspections.
Keep the boiler area free of dirt, dust, debris and household items.
Make sure the thermostat works properly and is programmed to the correct settings.

"A boiler might seem old-fashioned or out of date, but these systems can last for decades if they're looked after properly," Petri said.

Even with regular DIY maintenance, a hot-water boiler should be inspected by a professional at least once a year. To schedule a boiler inspection or to learn more about other services provided by Petri Plumbing & Heating, visit https://www.petriplumbing.com/ or call (718) 748-1254.

About Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is a family owned and operated business serving Brooklyn and the New York City area. Founded in 1906, the company offers a 100 percent guarantee on all services, upfront pricing, and friendly and knowledgeable Service Experts for all kinds of home and business plumbing and heating needs. Services offered include water and gas pipe leak repair and installation, fixture installations, inspections, boiler repair, water heater installation, complete bathroom, kitchen, laundry & utility room remodeling and more. Petri is also licensed and certified by Green Plumbers USA, the first in New York City to receive this designation. For more information, please visit www.petriplumbing.com or call 718-748-1254.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
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SOURCE Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc.