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Re: How often should a steam boiler be cleaned?

Is there a shutoff valve on the return ?

You want to isolate the return pipe from the boiler so you can flush out all the crap that was in the pipe . If the system was particularly dirty and has old wet returns we add a mild liquid cleaner ( usually 8-Way ) , and let the system steam all the time we're purging the returns . Some come clean after 10 to 20 gallons are purged out ( usually copper returns ) . Some take 50 or more . I'd say that if they don't stay clean for at least a season or 2 after so much water being purged I'd recommend new returns .

Ron Jr._3

Re: Can a new steam system be installed in a new residential house?

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1874666#Comment_1874666

Cast iron radiators do not "turn off".

Nor do the entire radiators reach 212 except under extreme conditions, generally a few sections do while the boiler is running and then the hotter sections dissipate some into the cooler sections. This allows the massive radiators to keep heating the space while the boiler is off. The system doesn't behave like it's turning on and off, similar to a concrete radiant floor, just not as massive obviously.

My next question is, you say 200F is ok but 12 degrees hotter isn't? Can you explain please? That's a 6% increase…….

ChrisJ

Re: Dual Element Smith HE2 Baseboards

a couple used ci radiators would be the cheapest option.

mattmia2

Re: Can you please critique this boiler setup that was installed in my house two wks ago

Had a great visit from

GW Gill he gave a diagnosis of the installation gonna send it to the installer

RCooper

Re: Steam Boiler not heating main - looking for steam pro to evaluate near boiler piping (Fairfield CT)

Gotcha, yea I think I've taken my DYI skills to its limits. It snowed in CT this past weekend and its COLD in this house. The second floor is much warmer but its pretty chilly on the main floor. Radiators just aren't kicking off heat like they should. Its been tough to find someone who seems to know steam. So I figured I'd give this forum a try. I appreciate all the help and feedback, but at this point I need James Watt in here now.

CooperFamily

Re: Radiant Heat. Should I raise the temp?

I haven't read through these replies but I thought it might be helpful to know that for the 15 months of my 56 years on earth I owned a house which I sold 7 months ago. In it, I installed radiant floor heating in a couple bathrooms and a hydronic towel warmer. I used the same Lochinvar Noble boiler you've got there, I think, but mine was a combi. When it ran for RFH it short cycled and drove me nuts. When I finally installed a buffer tank, the whole system worked beautifully. I found in my shop a 20-gallon indirect water heater and used it as a heat exchanger to keep my floor water at around 130° without a mixing device. Instead of the floor becoming my heating load, my indirect with a long adjustable-differential aquastat became my load. The cycles ran longer and less frequently and the cold spots on the floor disappeared. What a difference. At great risk, I'm posting a picture of my setup here. There's plenty to criticize about the installation but whatever. It was my house using repurposed parts and shortcuts I knew I could get away with.

JohnNY

Re: Rheem Water Heater

Hi and thanks! I'm always trying to learn as well, so a question or two… Are the old aerators a higher flow rate than the ones you replaced? Also, some aerators mix in more air than others. Is the water you get now less foamy? With these questions, I'm trying to figure out just where the air you saw in the water came from. 🤔

Yours, Larry