Grafton's Milwaukee River corridor and the historic neighborhoods along Washington Street and Bridge Street contain some of the oldest homes in Ozaukee County — properties dating from the 1880s through the early 20th century where boiler-and-radiator systems were the original and often only form of central heating. Many of those systems were converted from coal to gas over the decades, but the cast iron boilers, supply mains, and radiators themselves frequently remain.
Beyond the historic core, Grafton developed steadily through the mid-20th century with neighborhoods near Grafton High School and along N. Wisconsin Avenue adding more conventional housing — ranch homes and split-levels from the 1950s through the 1970s — some of which were heated with hot water baseboard systems. More recent development near the I-43 corridor has brought newer construction that occasionally incorporates radiant floor heating.
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has served Ozaukee County for over 60 years. We work on the full spectrum of boiler types found in Grafton: vintage cast iron sectional boilers in older downtown properties, conventional hot water boilers in mid-century homes, and condensing boilers in newer construction. Common issues in Grafton's older homes include failing steam traps, low water cutoff problems, and expansion tanks that have become waterlogged after years of service.
Burkhardt offers 24/7 emergency boiler service throughout Grafton and the surrounding Ozaukee County area. A Wisconsin winter with no heat in a historic riverfront home is something we take seriously — day or night. GreenSky financing is available for boiler replacement projects.
Schedule your service today — call us or use our online booking form.
Radiant Heating Systems
Many boiler systems in Southeastern Wisconsin power radiant floor heating — one of the most comfortable and energy-efficient heating methods available. Our technicians are experienced with hydronic radiant systems, including in-floor tubing, baseboard radiators, and cast iron radiator systems found in older Milwaukee-area homes. Whether you need radiant system repairs, zone valve replacement, or a new radiant floor installation, we handle the complete system.
We work on all boiler brands including Weil-McLain, Burnham, Buderus, Lochinvar, Navien, Slant/Fin, Crown, Peerless, and Utica. From cast iron steam boilers in older Milwaukee homes to modern high-efficiency condensing units, we've seen and repaired them all.
My older Grafton home has a steam boiler. What is the typical lifespan of a cast iron steam boiler?
A well-maintained cast iron steam boiler can last 30 to 50 years — which is why original systems still function in many Ozaukee County homes. Regular maintenance is key: annual cleaning, combustion analysis, and checking safety controls. Burkhardt can assess the remaining life of your specific unit.
My Grafton boiler keeps losing pressure. What causes that?
Pressure loss in a hot water boiler usually means water is leaving the system — through a weeping relief valve, an auto-feed valve that isn't closing properly, or an actual leak in the system piping. Burkhardt diagnoses pressure loss systematically so you understand what's happening and what it costs to fix.
Can Burkhardt service a boiler that was last serviced by another company?
Yes. We work on boilers regardless of prior service history. We'll review the unit's condition, document what we find, and give you an honest assessment of its current state. There is no obligation to continue if our diagnosis leads to a different recommendation. Call 414-206-3049.
Related Services
Learn more about our HVAC services across southeastern Wisconsin.
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Call Us At: (414) 206-3049
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