Base Board Heat Problem

Brad White

Pat, many BBH systems do not have air bleeds or vents. Instead they use a "purge" approach which forces air out by force of water. The relatively small pipe diameters allow this. That is why you may not have vents.

The grey tank is the expansion tank. Ideally and rightly, the circulator (AKA "pump") wants to pump away from it, never towards it. This is key for air control.

That air valve? It maintains the air cushion. That air does not see the water in the system but is separated by a rubber diaphragm which, I have just learned, smells terrible...

The pressure in that tank should equal the system pressure. 18 lbs. is fine as a cold-fill pressure for a 3-story house. When heated it will gain about 4-6 lbs. More than that, you will need a larger expansion tank.

Nutty

Base Board Heat Problems

Hello,

In my new house, I have a problem with my base board heating system. I have no knowledge of BBH systems. But I do know you have to bleed air from most heating systems. My base board lines have no bleeders! Why? The rear of my 3 story house does not get very hot at all but the front heats very well.
The system is a 1968 Repco system. On the side of the system there is a small Taco circ pump and a grey tank next to it. The tank is about 10" wide and about 1' tall. I notice that on the bottom of the tank, there is what looks like a tire tap to fill your tire. I depressed it and it did bleed some air (smelled horrible). Is this how I bleed my system?

My psi gauge is @ 18#. I've read that you need that much pressure to heat a 3 story house.

I don't know what other info you may need to help me with my problem. Let me know and I will do more research. But like I said, I have no idea what I am looking at, and have no knowledge of a system of this kind.

Thank you in advance!

Pat

steve_38

ok first of all

i didn't fully finish reading the rest of your problem, but Repco ok. your boiler probubly isn't vented properly. and there should be no bleeders at your baseboard because it's a loop system most likely. and that tire gauge on your expansion tank, you just weakend it by letting the air out of it... listen just stop touching your heating system and have a professional take care of the problem. also get a new boiler that Repco is on borrowed time my friend

Brad White_184

Pavlovian Reaction

Why is it that when someone says "Repco", I spray milk through my nose?



I was going to let that one go...

Jamie Hall

Don't be too upset

by the remark to get a pro -- if you are thinking of replacing the boiler, then you certainly should -- unless you happen to be licensed for all that. However, such things as checking and maintaing the pressure in the expansion tank are not beyond the capability of many competent home owners -- although such things seem to be beyond the capability of many 'pros' (not the ones on the Wall, before someone gets mad, but, let's face it guys -- there are a lot of folks out there messing with heating systems who shouldn't be).

Pat -- learn all you can about your system. There are good books available from this site to help.

That being said, it is likely that the old installation does leave some things to be desired... and to fix that, you will need a pro -- a real pro.

Empire_2

Oupssssssssssss?

How much air did you bleed from the expansion tank? There goes that precharge. There might be a purge valve of some kind to purge your zone or zones, but without pictures it's hard to tell.. And Jamie I know exactly what you are saying...:-) Call someone in to see if it's even worth saving. Maybe at least get you through 1 more year.

Mike T.

helpingothershelpthemselves_2

Brad ,
Do you pass milk thru your nose often ?
Or does the R word bring that about ?

Hmmmmmm, Repco M Series or BOS ?


Great Holiday
Ken Resnick

Nutty

more questions

I bled very little air from the expansion tank. I stopped myself and figured I should ask some questions before going any further. Im glad I did!
Should I connect a pressure guage to my expansion tank (it has no guage) to see what my pressure is? And if it is low, should I add air. Someone responded that my pressure in the tank should be the same as the pressure on my system.

Also, the pressure on my system keeps dropping by 2 or 3 pounds per day and I keep bumping it back up to 18# by adding very small amounts of water.

Is it because my exp tank pressure is low?
And where is all the water going if it is a loop system? I have no visable leaks.

I do have intentions on having a professional come out to take a look @ my system.
But in the meantime, I'm learning a little bit from these responses.

Thanks

Pat

rick_69

baseboard heat

Baseboard systems are not bled, but "purged". This is best done with a cool boiler for personal and equipment saftey reasons. Near the boiler, look for a valve that resembles a gas valve with a hose bib -combo. Turn the valve off (perpendicular to flow) and hook a hose to drain bib. Put the hose in a bucket a locate it were it can overflow. Start adding water to the system and open hose bib. This will "push" water and air out through the hose and watch until air bubbles stop. Purged. Reverse connection procedure, ck operating pressure and your in business. Every seperate loop or zone will or should have its own "purge valve" . Repeat as needed. Baseboards in need of purging usually sound like running water. Theyr'e silent when working properly. Have a pro ck the system to be safe.

steve_29