Can this system be saved

JANE_3

an eye for detail. I feel confident that I can make some of these changes on my own. The owners have done nothing and frankly if I could afford a repair person I would not have come to this site. Actually, not true, I like to fix things. First priority, heat to the master, second floor. I really appreciate your encouragement and advice, you have no idea. they treat me like an idiot at Home Depot. Jane

Jane in Worcester, MA

Old system was neglected can it be saved, need advice

I moved into a house built in the early 1930's. I am renting with potential to buy. It has a converted oil boiler now using gas, for a one pipe steam heating system. The heat distribution is poor. I replaced all of the air vents on the radiators, some were dated 1933. Seemd to help also shimmed the radiators. Problem: The radiator in my bedroom only gets warm when I crank the heat up past 75. Otherwise stone cold. When I replaced the air vent and tested, no steam came out only hot air. I did the test to see if it was "panting" per Dan's suggestion. No sign of this. Second problem, system bangs periodically. ALso runns very noisy, vibrates through the floor. The water in the boiler is very dirty, sludgy. I run ou thte dirty, till it looks at least rusty clear and refill. Sludge comes out at first. The boiler also bangs periodically when it is running so what causes this. Les now with new airvents on radiators. The asbestos wrapped pipes leading into the boiler are not angled very well. Took my level, one pipe is perfectly level. Can I do anything to stop the banging and vibration. ALso where are the the main vents. Is that something that I can clean, replace cheaply? Doubt the owners will do a thing. Pictures attached. Can it be saved? I am hoping that I can at least improve it's efficiency. Would like to learn how to do myself.Owners wil likely do nothing now that I am footing the monstrous heating bills, many thanks....

Steamhead (in transit)

Of course it can

and it wouldn't be difficult at all.

Main vents are visible in the Fall 07 photo, those silver things on short risers at the ends of the steam mains. From the looks of it, they're probably too small.

The dirt is what's probably causing some of the banging. Dirty water doesn't boil too well, and when it does it will probably carry some water up into the system with it. The piping arrangement around the boiler is wrong too, complicating the problem.

Another cause of banging is radiator shutoffs that aren't fully open. Check them and see that they are completely open. If they're not, water can back up in the radiators and bang when steam hits it.

I'd suggest getting a good steam man in there. Click on Resources above, then Find a Professional and follow the directions. Straightening this system out will save you a bunch of fuel.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

radioconnection_2

Firetrol?

I'm surprised the boiler fires with that Firetrol missing the lead sensor.

JANE_3

Can this sytem be saved

Where should the lead sensor be?
Also do you have a clue why that one radiator is not getting hot?

I know I need a good steam professional to come out,
but I am sure that the owners are going to balk at sending anyone. I am also wondering whether as a potential buyer I can manage the maintenance on this myself.

radioconnection_2

With the "knob" screwed off the Firetrol the power should be killed to the boiler. It looks like someone may have bypassed the Firetrol, or it might be defective? The Firetrol is the device mounted on the electrical box on the ceiling; the screw is there, but the lead knob (which melts in a fire) is missing.

If it is bypassed, it might affect your insurance coverage.

ttekushan_3

I think we have quite a collection

of homeowners here who know far more about their steam heating systems than those sent in to "repair" it... Oh, they "fix it" alright.

ANYway, are you good with a wrench? Seriously, many of the things that are the most prone to causing problems are dealt with with small wrenches. Learning a bit by a purchasing one of the Steam heating books available on this site will make you understand how eminently serviceable and efficient steam heating systems can be.

If the job is a little larger than you can handle personally, then you can have a good handyperson do the work you prescribe.

Then feel free to ask more questions here. Be prepared with a digital camera too. Its all in the details.

-Terry

JANE_3

Firetrol knob

I see what you mean, I am going to look at that more closely when I get home from work. Also will look at web on the function of this device. Don't like the sound of what you describe. I wrote the manufacturere of the boiler with the serial to see what year it is and parts availability for the airvents in the basement. You are a peach for helping me out. Really, thank you. Jane