Why Is Your Water Tube Boiler Always Low on Water?

One of the most commonly relied upon boiler types in industrial settings is the water tube boiler. Efficient and resilient, these boilers are built for heavy industrial use and can last for decades without having an issue. Yet, just like most types of boilers, water tube boilers can occasionally have issues, and most of the time, issues revolve around low water levels.

If this is an issue you are having with your boiler system, there are only a handful of problems that may be causing the situation. Here is a look at those problems that could cause issues with water levels. 

1. The feedwater pump is not allowing water inflow in a proper way. 

One of the biggest culprits behind low water levels is problems with the feedwater pump. The feedwater pump is the main delivery system for the boiler system, and it's possible that these systems can fail, lag, or not function. If you are having issues with a feedwater pump, you may initially notice things like: 

• Intermittent issues with little or no water in the tube at all 
• Excess sediment inside of the water tube 
• Grinding or loud noises radiating from the pump itself

Any of these issues should be immediately addressed even if you are not consistently seeing low water levels. 

2. Your water tube is leaking water because of deterioration. 

If water levels are lower than they should be, it can also mean that your water tube is leaking water. Leaks are not always as easy to spot as one might suspect. Many water tubes start to deteriorate slowly, which means tiny perforations in the encasing metal will allow tiny amounts of water to seep through. Most of the time, the water actuators will detect the low water levels and trigger the pump to refill, but if the tube is leaking water quickly, the actuators may not have time to compensate for the loss. 

3. The water level actuators are failing to recognize water levels. 

Water level actuators adjust the inflow of water as it is used up inside the water tube. When these actuators fail, it can cause the water levels to drop without the actuators kicking in to trigger the pump to allow in more water to fill the tube. If you are seeing low water levels on a regular basis, the actuators may need to be replaced to rectify the problem. 

If you're noticing any of these issues, contact commercial boiler repair services right away.

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