Written on: November 25, 2019
One of the things we sometimes find when performing routine service on oil-fired heating systems in Montgomery and Bucks County homes is a build-up of thick black sludge in the fuel filter.
That sludge forms when dirt, rust, and oxidized fuel accumulate at the bottom of your tank (the fuel is oxidized by bacteria that grows in the presence of condensation resulting from temperature changes). This viscous material robs your heating oil system of efficiency and, if left untreated, can even cause your heating system to seize.
Typically the pickup line for an oil furnace rests several inches higher than the bottom of the tank to avoid sucking this sludge into the supply line. But a tank filling can stir sludge into the fuel mix, clogging filters and causing problems for your heating system.
What can you do to prevent a sludge problem in your heating oil tank this winter and beyond? Here are three key actions you should take:
Contact the heating pros at Clyde S. Walton today to schedule maintenance for your heating oil system or a heating oil delivery– or to learn more about our expert heating oil equipment installation and maintenance services in the North Penn area!