Gas Steam & Hot Water Boilers
Gas steam and hot water boiler repair for radiators, circulators and zone valves, with 24/7 no-heat service.
24/7
Emergency service
Same Day
Most repairs
Licensed
& fully insured
Upfront
Pricing, no surprises
Call (877) 717-8383 for 24 hour service.
Our Services
- Boiler ServicesRepair, maintenance and replacement for gas and oil boilers.
- Oil Boiler & Furnace ServicesOil burner service, nozzles, filters and tank piping.
- Oil-to-Gas ConversionSwitch off oil deliveries with a clean gas conversion.
- Thermostat Repair & ReplacementDead, inaccurate or outdated thermostats fixed.
Steam and Hot Water Are Not the Same System
A steam boiler makes steam that rises into radiators under its own pressure with no pump involved, while a hot water boiler heats water that a circulator pushes through a loop and back. Treating one like the other is how a repair goes sideways, so confirming which type is installed is always the first step.
Older buildings in this area often run single-pipe steam, while newer or renovated systems tend toward multi-zone hot water with several circulators feeding different parts of a building.
A technician confirms the system type by checking the pressure gauge range, looking for a circulator pump on the piping, and tracing whether radiators have one pipe or two. That single check shapes every diagnostic step that follows, since steam and hot water problems rarely overlap.
Why Radiators Heat Unevenly
Uneven heat is almost always a distribution problem rather than a boiler problem, and the cause differs by system type.
- Clogged or failed air vent on a steam radiator
- Radiator not pitched correctly for condensate to drain
- Partially closed steam valve
- Stuck or failed zone valve on a hot water loop
- Circulator pump that has stopped moving water
- Trapped air in a hot water loop
Safety Controls and Water Level
The low water cutoff shuts a boiler down if water level drops too low, protecting the heat exchanger from running dry and cracking. We test this device on every service visit since a failed one is a real safety risk, not just an inconvenience.
A boiler that cycles on low water repeatedly usually has an auto feed valve stuck open, or a genuine leak in the piping that needs tracing.
Pressure and Expansion Tanks
Steam boilers run within a specific water level and pressure range, and running outside it causes flooding or water hammer. Hot water systems depend on a properly charged expansion tank, and a waterlogged one shows up as climbing pressure or a relief valve that keeps dripping. We check tank charge with a pressure gauge and recharge or replace it as needed.
Cleanings and Replacement Sizing
An annual cleaning covers the burner, ignition system, combustion testing and venting, which is the best way to avoid a no-heat call and keep the boiler running at its rated efficiency. When a boiler is old enough or damaged enough that replacement makes sense, we size the new unit to the building's actual radiation and heating load rather than just matching the old one's output.
For steam systems, sizing also depends on total connected radiation, since an oversized steam boiler floods radiators faster than air vents can release trapped air, leaving rooms cold even with a new unit installed.
What Affects Repair and Replacement Cost
Cost on a repair depends mostly on which component failed, since a zone valve or air vent replacement is inexpensive compared to a circulator pump or control board. On a replacement, the condition of existing piping, the number of zones, and whether venting needs updating all factor into the final price, and we walk through each of those before quoting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a steam boiler or a hot water boiler?+
Steam boilers show a pressure gauge reading in ounces or a few pounds and have no circulator pump. Hot water boilers show a pressure gauge around 12 to 20 psi and have one or more circulator pumps on the piping. A technician can identify it within minutes if you are unsure, and radiator piping is another clue since steam radiators typically use one pipe and hot water radiators use two.
Why is only one radiator in my house not heating?+
On a steam system this is usually a clogged or failed air vent or a steam valve not fully open. On a hot water system it is usually trapped air in that loop or a stuck zone valve. Both are quick, targeted repairs that do not require touching the boiler itself, and a technician can usually resolve either in the same visit.
What does the low water cutoff on my boiler do?+
It shuts the boiler down automatically if water level drops too low, protecting the heat exchanger from overheating and cracking. This safety device should be tested every year during a cleaning. A boiler that keeps shutting off on low water usually has an auto feed problem or a leak somewhere in the system that needs to be traced and fixed.
How often should a gas boiler be cleaned and inspected?+
Once a year, ideally before heating season starts in the fall. Annual service covers the burner, ignition, combustion testing and venting inspection, catching worn parts before they cause a no-heat call. Skipping it tends to shorten the boiler's life, raise fuel use, and increase the odds of an emergency repair mid-winter.
How much does it cost to replace a steam or hot water boiler?+
Cost depends on the boiler size needed for your radiation, the condition of existing piping and venting, and whether any of it needs updating during the swap. We calculate the actual heating load and give a firm quote in person rather than a phone estimate, since guessing on boiler size leads to comfort and efficiency problems later.
Contact Us Today!
Tell us what your steam or hot water boiler is doing and we will diagnose it correctly the first time.
Call Jersey City Plumbing Heating & Cooling at (877) 717-8383, available 24/7 across Hudson County.