Water Keeps Filling Radiator

Kevin_69

I am beginning to think the problem is a result of surging that is drawing water into the main. The water in the glass swings wildly and usually goes below the glass completely! Everything I have read suggests that the system needs to be cleaned. I am guessing that the contractor never cleaned the system after installation and the oils are causing it to surge. I had mentioned the surging in the glass as a concern of mine, but he had told me that it was normal. What do you think?

Thanks,
Kevin

Kevin_69

Water Keeps Filling Radiator

I just had a new steam boiler installed and I have been having a problem where the first radiator connected to the front end of the main keeps filling with water. The radiator was cold so I first tried replacing the steam valve. When removing the old valve, water shot out of the hole 4 feet. I then disconnected the radiator and dumped out over a gallon of water that was sitting inside it. I then re-connected it and it heated right up.

About an hour or so later, I noticed that the steam valve was spitting water. To see what was going on, I disconnected it again only to find about another gallon of water in the radiator. I thought that this was rather fast. I then put a bowl under the valve and let the system run (I had to add more water since the water level was so low it shut off the boiler). When the steam started up, buckets of water kept coming out of the pipe. I probably filled 5/6 mixing bowls full of water until the system shut off because the water level was too low again. It just kept coughing up water until it shut off.

Now I took a look at the piping from the boiler and it looks like the header is well below the 24" above the water line that the manufacturer says is a minimum. Could this be what is causing the water pushing up into the main and into my radiator?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin

mark_121

more info

One pipe or two pipe steam?
Vapor system of 2psi or less?

Kevin_69

It is a one pipe system, but I am not sure what the operating pressure is. I am assuming it is around 2 PSI, but I am running it now and will check at one point it shuts off.

Timco

I just had this problem on a 1-pipe system, and had to back flush the rad to flush out the obstruction stopping the condensate from draining back. Steam makes a lot of condensate, especially if you are making wet steam. I made a reducer from a garden hose to 1/8" and connected from kitchen faucet to the vent opening in the rad. Worked great but tons of junk got flushed back, and boiler needed cleaning afterwards. I think it was NBC that suggested this. On a side note, NEVER crack a union on a hot steam system...good way to disfigure yerself...

Tim

Tim

Mark Custis

Skim

skim and more skim.

Kevin_69

Should I ask the contractor to also come back and clean it with chemicals? I will keep skimming it though. Thanks.

Thanks,
Kevin

steveex

Three hour hot skim.

steveex

PS make sure your tappings are all clear, gauge valve taps, ptrol, after boiler cools down.

Kevin_69

What is a three hour hot skim? Can you explain a bit in more detail? Is it something I can do? After skimming it a few times, it definitely appears to have helped. The surging has subsided and water is no longer go up into my radiator.

Thanks,
Kevin

Kevin_69

Actually, after doing some more research, I may be confusing the term skimming with blowing down the boiler while it is running. Is skimming simply emptying the boiler while it is off and then re-filling it?

Thanks,
Kevin

Mark Custis

Skimming

There are ports in the boiler at the water line that allow taking the top of the water out of the chest while it is steaming. It allows the oil and gunk to be removed. I usually leave the taps open, (think boiler valve) for future use.

Kevin_69

OK so I wasn't confused. That was what I thought it was. Thanks for clearing up the confusion!

David Nadle

No. Skimming is opening a tapping above the waterline, then adding water at just a trickle until it dribbles out. The idea is to remove the oil on the surface by letting it slide out on that trickle. Direct the output into a large pail and let it go for hours.

"Hot" means firing the boiler during this operation but not letting it boil. I could swear I read Dan say somewhere that on small boilers it was better to skim cold to keep the oil from emulsifying in the water below the surface, but... Best thing to do is follow the skimming directions in your boiler's I&M manual.

Mark Custis

not the blow down system

these are at the water line.

Kevin_69

Ah I see. That makes more sense. Thanks.

nicholas bonham-carter

credit

thanks for the credit.
just make sure to use a left over gauge on your flushing rig, as i am sure full city water pressure could strain the radiator and cause a permanent leak.
while you are flushing keep 1 eye on the gauge, and the other on the radiator for leaks.
if you are like lobsang rampa your 3rd eye could watch the open pipe in the basement to see what comes out!--nbc