restarting system with new steam traps

websterhead

installed 10 b&j traps in 80 year old webster system with 13 year old lennox/dunkirk boiler.  pressure went to 9 or 10 psi right away.  lennox tech support said "must purge system of air" after this.  can homeowner knucklehead do anything here or what exactly should a pro do for me.?  it is hard to find good steam help here.thanks.

Rod

Turn Down the Steam Pressure!

Hi - The Webster Modulation System is a vapor steam system.You want to get the steam pressure down right away as high pressure can hurt your steam traps.  Residential steam systems operate at a 2 PSI maximum and vapor systems

operate at a lot less than that. The Webster system originally operating

at no greater than 8 ounces of pressure.so the first thing you need to do is lower the steam pressure.  This is done by lowering the settings on the pressure controller (Pressuretrol) on the boiler. See how low you can go and still get the radiators hot.  s.

 Pressuretrols aren't very reliable below 1 PSI so ideally you would get a Vaporstat installed on your boiler. Vaporstats operate are low pressures much better than pressuretrols.

There are some very good books available on this site in the "Shop" section at the top of this page. I would suggest the books titled "We Got Steam Heat"

http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/61/We-Got-Steam-Heat-A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Peaceful-Coexistence

and "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" and "Greening Steam".

You might also want to post further questions in the "Strictly Steam"section of this board as the steam guys hang out over there.

What is the model number on your Pressuretrol controller?

- Rod