Natural gas heater maintenance

[xxSNAKExx]

Hi everyone, first of all i need to say I am not an engineering professional. I am sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this and I'm not sure whether it is allowed or not but i just have a quick question you can hopefully help me out with.
In my home we have a 10 year old natural gas boiler (rheem)
In its lifetime it has never been serviced. Also, there is a chord which must be pulled every six months for maintenance purposes (pressure release I think) which has only been pulled once or twice in the boilers lifetime.
The water that comes out of the boiler, which is used for showering, washing, drinking etc, tastes and smells of. It is similar to that bitter, unpleasant taste that comes with accidentally getting some shampoo or cologne in your mouth if you have ever had that happen to you.
Now, I know it is not good to not properly maintain a boiler in the first place, but are there any health risks associated with the continued use of this boiler? I can't do anything about it since it is not my boiler, and I don’t have the money to replace or fix it. The owners of the house and boiler believe that as long as the boiler is making hot water it is good, so there can be no support on their part unless the boiler fails, or I have undenying evidence that it is not good to keep the boiler like this.
I'm sure after all these years there would be a ton of sedimentation in the tank, chemicals, leakages etc. The ventilation shafts are filled with south build-up, so carbon monoxide is definitely being released which means improper combustion. Now, to me, this is an automatic sign of we need to fix it, but as I said before there is no point in arguing this fact for support.

So yea, I would really appreciate it if you guys could help me out with this, and if not totally then I would be great full for some links/info on what i can do with this. The most important thing I want to know is whether it is actually dangerous to use this water.
Also can the actual gas mix with the water in some way, or is this impossible?

Thanks again.

 

[gurupc]

This is a residential unit the cord is probably attached to a safety valve release handle. The "ventilation shafts" the combustion air inlet, or the flue, should be free and clear of debris or product of combustion buildup. Ensure the area that the boiler is in has enough fresh air flowing into it for proper combustion. If the flue is filling up with soot the burner needs to be set-up. The water supply side should have a drain on it at the lowest point and should be drained of sediment on a regular basis. Please ensure a licenced and trained technician does the work. They know the hazards and how to do the job without breaking something,(Easy to do on older units)

 

[Scipio]

I agree with gurupc, the cord is probably safety valve release. I'm more familiar with the industrial version of this type of heater, but my guess would be the purpose is to blow off steam in case the water heater turns all the water in it to steam & vapour locks. Probably also serves as a check to make sure the safety valve actually still works. Unfortunately, don't know enough about the residential version to be able to say what the probability of a problem is.

As to whether or not natural gas can mix with the water, I wouldn't think it likely as the water supply would be at a higher pressure than any gas it might be directly exposed to through a leak, but the bitter 'cologne' taste in the water is definately worth looking into. Do you get the same taste from your cold water supply or just the hot?

If I were in your position, the first thing I'd do is find a couple companies that do residential water treatment (just check yellow pages under 'water treatment') and get prices to have samples of your cold & hot water tested to see if there's a difference in chemical content. If there's a difference, good chance it's the water heater. Not only will it prove, on paper, if there is a difference, but it will also prove if the water meets local & federal requirements for drinking water. It's cheaper than flat out replacing the heater, so the owners might be more willing to pay for it, especially if you've already shopped around for the lowest price for them. Plus, if tests show water doesn't meet drinking (potable) water requirements I would think the owners wouldn't have a choice in the matter anymore.

Not as definitive as I imagine you'd like, but I hope it helps.

 

[HeatTreater]

I agree!!!,,, Have the water tested at a local health unit in your area, (This is Free in Canada), and discontinue use of boiler until a reputable service company takes a look at your flue. A blocked chimney flue can spill Carbon Monoxide into the building. Not a nice thought

 

[BenjyMac]

Not sure where you live but in the UK it is law that the owners (landlords) get their boilers serviced once a year. May be worth asking the question in your country as the owners may be breaking the law by not getting it done.

The 'cord' may be the safety valve or possible an air release system to prevent air locking of the boiler.

Good Luck!

 

[saxon]

snake, If this is located in the States and depending on locality, there are Building Codes that mandate that hot water heaters and boilers be inspected and repaired yearly. If it is rental property, this is the responsiblity of the Landlord. Check with your local City Hall, they will be able to fill you in on the details.

If there are no regulations, then you're on your own. Contact a liscensed plumber. They will be able to inspect the system for you, but get a quote first.

Hope this helps.
saxon