Routine maintenance of boiler sliding feet should include which task?

• A. Painting with high-temp paint
• B. Tightening all fasteners
• C. Repacking the joints
• D. Wire brushing to remove scale, rust and dirt

Answer: (D)

Routine maintenance for the components that support the boiler must keep the sliding surfaces clean and smooth so the boiler can move freely as it expands and contracts with temperature changes. The sliding feet are the contact points that allow this movement, and any buildup of scale, rust, or dirt on those surfaces can increase friction, cause sticking, or lead to uneven wear. Removing that buildup with a wire brush directly restores the smooth contact surfaces, promoting proper movement and long-term wear resistance.

Painting the feet isn’t suitable because a coat of high-temp paint can trap moisture, conceal wear, and eventually peel or crack under heat, hiding issues and hindering inspection. Repacking the joints is a different maintenance task tied to seals and joints, not the sliding feet themselves. Tightening all fasteners isn’t addressing the surface condition that governs smooth sliding and could distort alignment if done indiscriminately. So cleaning the sliding feet with a wire brush to remove scale, rust, and dirt is the most appropriate routine maintenance here.