Improve Your Kitchen to Help Sell Your Home

Your oil burner may be one of the most important components of your home or business, yet it's surprisingly also one of the most poorly understood. Most heating implements which rely on an oil burner for operation are entirely useless if it's operating improperly, so it's essential that you keep your eyes and ears open for potential signs of trouble.

Below, you'll find a guide to some signs that your oil burner may be in need of repair. Being aware of these warning signs and being vigilant about screening for them will allow you to keep your space at a comfortable temperature and can help guarantee that you're not saddled with a total breakdown which may require a far more expensive repair.

Soot Buildup

One of the major advantages of oil burner heating systems is that they operate relatively cleanly. Therefore, any residue or sign of their operation may be an indication that they're burning incorrectly. If properly serviced, your oil burner will maintain air quality standards that don't include soot and ash.

Noticing soot buildup at the end of your chimney is likely a sign of something being off kilter in your oil burner operation. This buildup should be treated extremely seriously, as increased sediment in your chimney stack can lead to dangerously high temperatures and pressure in your system and risk a catastrophic failure.

Unusual Odors

If you're in a location every day, you quickly get used to the surrounding sights and sounds and are generally perceptive when something changes. One important change you should keep in mind, though, is a change in smell. If your heating system is suddenly putting off an unusual odor, you may have a serious problem.

An oil burner should be nearly imperceptible to your nasal passages when all is operating correctly. A smell of burnt oil or a strong fuel odor emanating from your heating vents should result in you checking for a spill and making an immediate service call.

Water Leaks

When an oil burner feeds a boiler, it's important to verify that that boiler is remaining structurally sound. Leaking water can cause electrical problems, boiler inefficiency and increased energy usage, and can even be a precursor for a serious structural failure. Make sure that you're constantly on the look out for water spots, stains, puddles, and other signs of leaks, as these need to be immediately addressed in order to keep your oil burner system in top shape. To learn more, contact someone like Shearman Oil Inc.