hartford loop piping problem?

George_14

Just had a new steam (one pipe system) boiler installed and we need to add water to the system every couple of days. I had the main vents replaced, I thought that might have been the problem. We still are loosing water. Radiator vents are fine, there doesn't appear to be a leak anywhere. After reading Dan's book, I noticed the return pipe is connecting into the equalizer above the water line of the boiler. Could this be the problem?
Thanks for any help.

will smith_4

George-

Having the Hartford connection piped above the water line would tend to cause water hammer, but if the other near boiler piping dimensions are ok, I wouldn't suspect that to be the cause of the low water condition. Can you see all of the return pipes?

George_14

Yes the return pipes were not changed and come in high above the water line then they drop down to below the water line and connect back into the qualizer above the water line. I thought that might be a problem since the book showed that connection to be at least 2 inches below the water line. The installer is coming back out to reskim the boiler, he thinks that might help. I asked him about the piping and he said it was piped correctly.

Dan Goodridge

Check the radiator vents with a mirror-- The water is going some where-- there is no magic involved

brucewo1b

How about pictures of that system esp. the return piping

George_14

Ok, I'll check the radiator vents again and I'll post some pics. Unfortunately I won't be able to do that for a week or 2 (I'm a landlord and don't live at the address). I thought maybe the return pipe being above the water line was not allowing the condensate to return to the boiler. Could I have a pitch problem that is also not allowing the water to return? The old boiler had a water feeder on it so I don't know how much water the system was losing.
Thanks for your replies.

Jason

where the water goes?

Maybe the poster has a leak above the water line somewhere they won't see the steam leaking. That's what I'm afraid I have. When my boiler shuts down I can hear a VERY slight hissing sound like if you put soapy water on a leaking tire. The sound comes from inside the boiler's sheet metal enclosure and lasts only a minute or so after the cycle shuts down. I'm not losing MUCH water like the original poster but I worry that if this noise indicates a leak in my 4 year old WM SGO that I could be in for a big repair bill.

For the original poster, I read on this site that if you have such significant water loss that you should see water or steam coming from the system somewhere like the vents mentioned. Maybe steam is coming out your chimney... you shouldn't see any steam or smoke if your system is running right. the system couldn't continue to trap water indefinitely. It has to be leaking out somewhere or it would eventually be totally full with all the makeup you're adding.

i'm not a professional. just a homeowner that has spent alot of time on this site learning about my system.

George_14

I had 2 air vents that were badly exporting steam. I thought for sure that was my problem but after having those replaced the tennant is telling me he still needs to add water every couple of days. I also noticed that the water bounces around a good amount (probably 2 inches) in the gauge glass and the low water cut-off will shut off the boiler at times just from bouncing below the low water line and then it will turn it back on when the water settles a bit. I'm hoping when the installer comes back to skim it that will help with the surging. I will also give a more thorough check for leaks.
Thanks