new steam boiler cycles frequently and banging pipes

Brad White_185

Ideally the radiators want to be pitched back toward the valve, for one thing.

How was it installed? What does the near-boiler piping look like?
What is the pressure setting cut-in and cut-out?

Can you post photos?

Geoff McDonell

mega steam boiler cycles constantly and banging pipes

Just had a Mega Steam boiler installed and it is cycling constantly (every 1- 2 minutes) . Also , some of the radiator pipes are banging like crazy ! We have checked the level of the radiators and they are level . ( This never happened with our old Well McClain boiler) Any suggestions?

ttekushan_3

also could be

that the boiler needs more cleaning or skimming after the new install. Installation involves all sorts of contaminants that must be removed from the boiler water. Boiling water is intolerant of contamination, and will cause droplets of water to travel out into the piping along with the steam causing premature shut down due to (temporary) low water. This also explains the water hammer (banging) since there is enough water in the steam lines to cause noise.

Have it skimmed again. The installer has to set aside enough time for proper boiler cleaning after a new install.

-Terry

Daniel_3

It's almost 99.9 % not the boiler model or manufacturer but the installation in all respects. WM, Burnham, Smith, Peerless; it doesn't matter. Answer Brad's questions and you will come closer to an answer to your hammer and short cycling. Also do be very skeptical of those run-outs you can't see. What kinds of vents do you have on all the rads?

Toddid Goldsmith's

cycling and banging pipes

steam pressure is critical. I have seen high steam pressure shove boiler water backwards through the return and flood the radiation. hammer will come from wet spots in the piping. is the boiler surging? in normal size domestis systems, no more than 3 lbs. of pressure should ever be needed. make sure all vents are working, and boiler is not overfired. if you scim the boiler i have used vinager. run boiler up to 180 degrees. don"t drain the boiler but scim from the top a coiple of gallons of vinager a gallon done two times, will remove the oils and debris that may be giving you a problem. higher than proper pressure will give you all kinds of problems. mak sure the returns are clean and not flooding the boiler.