Most boiler problems don’t occur suddenly. They develop slowly over a long period of time — so slowly, in fact, that you grow accustomed to the change without realizing it has taken place. Corrosion slowly builds up in the safety valve. Sediment collects in the float chamber on the connection lines of the low water fuel cutoff device. Scale accumulates on the waterside of the boiler tubes.
Each year, hundreds of accidents are reported nationally involving steam and hot water heating boilers in businesses, public buildings, and other facilities. The majority of these incidents are attributed to malfunctioning low water cutoffs, operator error, poor maintenance, and/or corrosion.