Steam Boiler Skimming

Dave DeFord_4

I'm really responding to bring this back to the top. If I read your response correctly your auto-feed is feeding every 10-20 minutes when the boiler is firing and you have a damp chimney. Just to put things in perspective my boiler auto-feeds about twice a month for a total useage of 6 gallons per month. It sounds like yours is feeding that much per heating cycle which to me would indicate a leak. Maybe some of the pros here could help you out but I think you should investigate the situation.

Roots

Steam Boiler Skimming

I had a new steam boiler installed 2 years ago. It was skimmed after installation. It runs fine (all year around for DHW too), but it seems like every four-five months or so I get a problem with some of the radiator vents spitting water and making noise, etc. They come back out and re-skim the boiler and then the problem goes away.

My question is, is it bad to skim again every 4-5 months or so with all of that fresh water and oxygen being introduced into the system? Or is an occansional (i.e. 2-3 times a year) procedure like that no big deal?

Will this problem eventually go away for good and require no more skimming ever?

Thanks

Big Ed

Skimming


No problem with the small amount of water used to skim .

No this is not a forever type of service needed..

mike jones

skimming

Do you know if skimming is something a handy-ho could do.we have been looking to find a thread on what you supposed to do even on a quick skim since our boiler glass is clean just to cover our bases on wet steam

HitzKup_2

skimming

check in your boilers owners manual

HitzKup

mike jones

old American Standard steam boiler circa 1970

This is part of the problem. Does anyone have any info for an old American Standard steam boiler circa 1970 Burnem bought them and claims that they don't have any leads and there were many owners here before us who didn't keep any papers. We also don't want to use any claeners that would be the wrong things to use in this system. Is there anything besides the hard water we have in NY that would be a sure thing to be harmless to skim or clean with.

bob young

squick

try a can of squick . read the directions.

Steamhead (in transit)

Which American-Standard

boiler is it?

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mike jones

American Standard 15 p.s.i., steam Boiler type: G406,

This is what we know, some may be wrong or meaningless:

American Standard 15 p.s.i., steam Boiler type: G406, Series 4BJ3 –Independent series –IN12 replaces old boiler when it will someday fail , T87 THERMOSTAT set back thermostat ie; Honeywell, white rogers parallel to time clock - hi voltage 903_581-3200 trane/a.s.
kewanee 717_397-4701 – bought amer stand along w/ burnham
938 sq ft steam, 261 water megs, Input 375,000 BTU, Output 300,000 BTU, 30lbs max, 15lbs rec operating @ 2lbs 300 lbs pr. hr. relief valve 1 inch gas shut off on big pilot

WE WILL CONFIRM IN THE AM IF YOU WANT WHAT IS ACTUALLY ON THE BOILER AND RE-POST TO AVOID SOME OF THE GIBBRISH PROVIDED BY MY PREDECESSOR.

Dale

skimming problem

The problem with skimming is usually in the lack of piping that can be unscrewed. One of the many reasons for a true steam professional being paid a bit more for a boiler install is that future skimming will be easy. A full port valve and 2 nipples and a cap for safety installed in the tapping port may cost $50 but is priceless to the reasonably skilled HO or future service tech.

Paul C._2

2 Votes for Squick

I have a American Standard steamer and also have problems with wet steam. Unfortunately blow off piping was never installed way back when and I feel it's too risky to remove the plug. After much searching I finally found a supply house that carried Squick and since that treatment the water is clearer and the system has never been quieter.

Jerry_15

Yeah, Ive seen skim tap plugged many times by guys trying to save a buck, and it's a bear to get out later. You really shouldn't have to skim it that often. Squick works great. Try it. I usually come out with full size nipple, then a reducing 90 to 1" full port ball valve pointing down, then short nipple and cap hand tight. Right into the bucket no mess, no fear. Lot cheaper than a 2" valve but still a good job. After I skim it one time on start up I can roll it up and put the squick in there, with a water chaser. Roll it back down, fire it up, I never see it again.

Steamhead (in transit)

I think that boiler

became the Burnham 406 which they sold for many years. Nice boiler. Some of the later ones had skim tappings but it would be tough to get the plug out now, best to use the upper sight glass tapping.

Since it's that old, you might do better to flush it out with a hose. Bet you find a lot of black oily goo that was sitting on the bottom of the boiler.

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mike jones

skimming

we found a place to get squick and will pipe as you suggest if plug wont free up. before we squick, do you know if our wet steam could be related to us losing water in system? auto feed pumps every 10 or 20 minutes on a 30 to 60 minute on cycle, boiler glass water is clean, and no leaks in return piping, just radiator air vents filling up with water, although minimal banging. Chimney guy said damp exhaust on 5 story flue could be sign of a boiler leak or wet steam issue. should we just squick first and then see if there are any changes in the autofill frequency? ps. is it hard to use squick improperly and mess up the system?

Steamhead (in transit)

I agree

have it checked by a steam pro. If the chimney is moist the leak is probably above the waterline inside the boiler. If this is so, don't waste any more time on this boiler. Replace it.

Try the Find a Professional page of this site. If you're in the Baltimore area, contact me.

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Jerry_15

Now there is some wise advice.

Brad White_57

Second the Motion

And if you are NOT in the Baltimore area...

Move.