Clean Steam Boiler With Detregent?

Papi

I have a 4 year old Weil McLain steam boiler in a 100 year house with steam radiators. Last season I started to get some noise from the system. Also, and more a problem for me, uneven heating. The suggestion I got from a knowledgable heating man was to clean the boiler with a detergent, run it up in the pipes, and the flush to clean out the detergent - then replace the vents. I don't mind replacing the vents, I think that's needed. Talking to an experienced operating engineer friend, though, gave me a reservation - he said if you clean the pipes too well, you might open up leaks that are sealed now. Weil McLain warns about this too. I'd rather not create more problems, then again I don't want to just flush and skim with no detergent if that is not going to get me where I need to be. . . I do not have any buried returns. It is a one pipe system, and the only returns are exposed laterals in the basement parralel to the mains. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Brad White_200

I would start with

a concurrent program of new vents (properly sized, both Main Vents and radiator vents), proper low-pressure operation (verified with a low-scale gauge, separate from the code-required 0-30# gauge), pipe insulation and skimming the boiler of any surface residues.

I would not foam up some detergent and loosen stuff that might just want to sit there. Also if W-M says don't do it, you do not need me to tall you that too

Jim Pompetti

The \"Lost Art\"

Gives full details on how to clean most steam boilers.