One-Pipe steam system

[Deleted User]

I have a 500 square foot one-pipe steam system. Some of the horizontal pipes have corroded. When these pipes were replaced a good amount of mud came out. What steps do I need to take (and what products should I use) to clean out the system as best I can.

nicholas bonham-carter

cleaning the boiler

clean the boiler on the top of the waterline, and at the bottom. this procedure is described in greater detail than i can type in dan's book, "the lost art of steam heating",available on this site, and you need it to become better informed as a steam user!
the process is called "skimming" which is the controlled draining of surface contamnnts, from an elevated waterline inside the boiler, through a port made for that purpose. hopefully your boiler was installed by a professional steam pro, who would have made such a skimming port, and left it lightly capped,waiting for this very occasion! --nbc

nicholas bonham-carter

cleaning the boiler

check your boiler installation manual about skimming and chemicals. for instance, peerless suggests using arm & hammer washing soda, but other makers will not suggest chemicals for cleaning. in any event these products are flushed out in the end leaving pure water. i would suggest no chemicals for an ongoing basis, except to take care of PH problems.--nbc