Cleaning Returns

BRIANJ

I have a two pipe Broomell system and have been getting quite a bit of rust in the returns. I know that much of this is converted into magnatite when it sits in the boiler but it has gotten to a point of being too much. Sometimes clogging the site glass ports. At least once a month I drain off some of the water (abot 2 quarts) in the boiler until it runs clear.

I want to clean the returns to reduce the amout of loose rust in the system and wanted to know the best way to clean them out. The system is 96 years old and works very smoothly with the vaporstat set at 6oz. of pressure.

Should I begin the flushing process at the radiators? Thanks in advance for any advice.

nicholas bonham-carter

rusty sight glass

what about putting some magnets on the wet return pipes to cause the rust to settle there? naturally at some point you will have to remove the magnets while you drain the returns, then reinstall. long tool or knife-holding magnets work well as do old speakers.--nbc