Loss of pressure in radiant system

Steve Garson_2

In that case, it sounds like I'm fine, then.

Steve Garson_2

Loss of pressure in radiant system

Today I noticed that the pressure on my radiant system had dropped from 15psi to around 10psi. I added water to bring it back up to 15psi. (This is the pressure before the circulator cycles on. The water in the system was just added six or seven months ago.

Is this a normal occurance or indicative of a problem? I have no visible leaks.

Timco

Do you have any air removal devise that could allow air to escape? That could explain it. A HX leak will not show any signs of a leak...Can you isolate the boiler to check it?

Tim

Steve Garson_2

I have a Spirovent to vent the system.

Timco

Escaping air may be the cause of the lower pressure, especially if the fill was shut off. If you fill to an exact number, then isolate the boiler while it is off, you can see if the pressure drops to check the boiler for leaks.

Tim

Steve Garson_2

It took months to see a pressure drop and I did have the feed water shut off.

Timco

Well, that sounds like air escaping, but also could be a small pinner leak. No way to say unless it continues to lose pressure or looses pressure faster. Best 'o luck, friend!

Tim

hot_rod

What type of tubing?

some of the rubber type tube systems tend to lose pressure slowly over time. Possibly weeping at the manifold clamps?

Do you know the total water capacity of the system/ or how much you add to bring the pressure back up/

hr

[Deleted User]

10% by volume...

is how much fluid you can expect to replace due to air elimination...

THe larger the system, the more make up you can expect till you hit a point of equalibrium. Then everything should stablaize. If not, start looking for a leak. It can be small enough that it will actually evaporate at the same rate it leaks, so it never shows in the form of a leak, or a puddle below the leak.

If you see a white fur or a bluish green stain, its a leak. Even though it may not appear to be a leak, it IS a leak.

ME

Steve Garson_2

The tubing with Onix. Four ~200-foot loops with a total or ~120 of 3/4-copper to the boiler. The water feed valve has been shut off since filling the system, except for perhaps a quart or so added a few days after filling.