It's true - in basketball, double dribble is a foul, but how about with boilers?
Frequently, when I see boiler heating systems, which heat up and pump water through radiators all around the house, there has not been regular maintenance.
Sure, sometimes certain parts here and there have been replaced or upgraded as they have broken.
But regular maintenance prevents the kinds of things you see above.
Both of those devices are forms of pressure-relief valves. While pressure is a boiler system is best when between about 10 and 15 pounds per square inch, as the water heats sometimes more pressure is created then the system likes.
So valves are provided to help bleed off a bit of that pressure.
But valves can wear out, or leak. REGULAR MAINTENANCE WOULD CATCH THAT EARLY. When maintained, theoretically, parts don't wear out to the point of damage.
The valve on the right is interesting! It looks almost like a stalagmite developing in Luray Caverns.
The looks almost like a long-term pin-hole leak. As minute amounts of water are pressed out through the valve and its cap, the water evaporates leaving only the minerals. Over time those minerals can build up, sometimes plugging the pin hole. But sometimes not!
My recommendation: this boiler had a double dribble due to a lack of regular maintenance. When you see appliances or systems, look to see if there is evidence of regular maintenance. Is there a service history sticker? Do things appear to be clean, or fairly new? It is always best for systems to have regular maintenance. Cleanliness and efficiency are important to all appliances.
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