If the house is cold and the boiler is leaking or making noise, check that the thermostat is calling for heat, the switch is on and the gas or oil supply is open. If you smell gas, leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 first. For boiler issues that are not a gas smell, call our 24/7 line and a plumber can be dispatched.
No heat, leaks and noise: what they usually mean
| Symptom | Common cause | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Cold radiators, boiler running | Air in the system or failed circulator | Plumber |
| Water dripping from the boiler | Leaking valve, fitting or relief valve | Plumber |
| Pressure too low or too high | Fill valve or expansion tank problem | Plumber |
| Boiler will not fire | Thermostat, control or burner issue | Plumber or burner technician |
| Banging or kettling noises | Scale, low water or trapped air | Plumber |
| Rust-colored radiator water | Corrosion inside the system | Plumber |
What we handle and what we refer
We repair the plumbing and hydronic side of a boiler, including circulator pumps, zone valves, expansion tanks, pressure relief valves, fill valves, air eliminators and leaking pipe and fittings. A burner or combustion fault may need a licensed oil or gas technician, and we say so on the phone. We do not guess.
Massachusetts requires licensed trades for plumbing and gas fitting, and the state's board certifies both. A master or journeyman plumber may do gas fitting. You can verify any license on the state's eLIPSE portal.
A boiler leak is not always the boiler
A small drip from a fitting can be a quick repair. A leak from the boiler body or heat exchanger usually means replacement. A drip that appears only when the system is hot may be the relief valve responding to high pressure, and that is a symptom of an expansion tank problem.
If you have a leak in a heating pipe in the wall or floor, the repair and drying are similar to other pipe leaks. See leak detection for locating it, and burst pipe repair if the pipe has split.
Older South Shore houses and radiator heat
Hingham and Cohasset have many older homes with cast iron radiators, baseboard systems and old piping. These houses may have systems that were extended by room over decades. The old pipes can be undersized or hold air, so balancing and bleeding matter.
- Bleed radiators at the start of the season
- Check pressure on the gauge and compare to normal
- Keep the area around the boiler clear
- Have the system serviced yearly
- Know the location of the shutoff valves
Coastal homes in Hull face salty air that corrodes boiler jackets and fittings faster. A boiler in a damp basement may rust at the base, and a floor drain or sump nearby helps manage leaks.
Repair or replace the boiler
A boiler that is 25 years old or older, with a leaking heat exchanger or repeated failures, is a candidate for replacement. A newer boiler with a failed pump or valve is worth repairing. We give you an honest view and, when needed, refer you to a licensed heating contractor for burner work.
A water heater tied to a boiler as an indirect tank is a separate component. If the indirect tank is leaking, it has similar issues to a standalone tank. See water heater repair.
What boiler repair costs
Boiler repair prices depend on what has failed.
What moves the price
- Part and brandCirculators, valves and controls vary widely.
- System ageOlder boilers may need parts that are hard to find.
- AccessTight utility spaces and old piping take longer.
- Bleeding and flushingAir removal and system flushing add steps.
- Emergency timingWinter night calls are priced for after-hours dispatch.
Insurance generally does not cover boiler wear. Sudden leak damage may be covered, and some policies cover freeze damage only if the heat was maintained.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
We repair hydronic systems in ZIP codes 02043, 02025, 02188 through 02191, 02061 and 02045. Call our dispatch line with the boiler brand and symptoms.
According to the fact sheet, plumbing is licensed work. Repairs to the water side of a boiler are plumbing work. Gas and oil burner repairs belong to licensed gas or oil technicians, and gas fitting permits follow the town's fee schedule.
Questions homeowners ask
We repair the plumbing and hydronic side, including pumps, valves, expansion tanks and leaks. Burner problems may need a licensed oil or gas technician.
Yes. We take boiler and no-heat plumbing calls 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. If you smell gas, leave first and call the gas utility.
A leaking fitting, valve or relief valve is common. A leak from the boiler body usually means replacement.
Air in the system. Bleeding the radiators or an air eliminator usually fixes it.
Leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. Do not use switches or phones inside.
Yearly service before the heating season is common practice.