Need help - pressure reading high

momof2nutlings

Hello!

We have a single pipe steam boiler in the basement of our 1800s house. We rarely use it, as we heat primarily with wood. However (!), it's important to have a good running system as backup - and hence the problem

Boiler was recently serviced by a local company, but upon running it we've noticed a few things.

1) The pressure is reading at 10psi, which we know is much too high.

2) The boiler is turning itself on and off fairly frequently.

3) 4 out of 18-20 boilers are not working at all.

I'm certain these aren't great things, and would like to get someone in to fix whatever is wrong. However, since we've already consulted the local "experts" I either need some references for reputable companies in the Hartford/Manchester CT area or some guidance on what to do ourselves to ensure that the boiler is safely operating.

My husband is quite handy, but we have no knowledge of steam systems. And it's supposed to be -9 tomorrow night. That's a little cold for our wood to keep up with (and the plumbing is in the basement, the wood stove is up here next to me!).

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Jamie Hall

Right...

It is going to be cold in your parts tomorrow night; I know -- the place I care for is about 20 miles west of you.



The 10 psi is way too high.  Whether it is real or not is another question, but if it is, it needs to be fixed.  Either the pressuretrol is set wrong -- or it is clogged.



The best man I know of in the are to call is Charles Garrity.  Look for him under Find a Contractor -- I don't have the number handy right at the moment -- in Lee, Massachusetts (search by state, not zip).  He's a right busy man, though, and whether he could take a look tomorrow or not I wouldn't care to say.

Hap_Hazzard

Actually, it sounds like the Pressuretrol is working.

It sounds like the boiler is cycling on pressure, unless something else is making it cycle.



Can you watch the boiler through a few on-off cycles and see if the pressure reading on the gauge is changing? The burner should shut off consistently when the pressure reaches a certain point, called the cut-out point, and then turn back on at a consistently lower pressure, called the cut-in point.



Let us know if this is what's happening and what those pressure readings are.

If this is what's happening, the good news is you just need to adjust the Pressuretrol. The bad news is that, if you set the pressure lower, it's going to cycle even faster, but we can probably fix that too.



The first thing you need to do is go around and make sure the valve on every radiator is fully open. On a one-pipe system the valves should always be either all the way open or all the way closed, and at this time of the year, they should be open.



While you're visiting each radiator, take a look at the vent. If you can take pictures we can identify them for sure. If you can describe them we can probably at least narrow it down. Note which vents are on the four radiators that aren't working.



Also, if you can get some pictures of your mains, especially at the ends farthest from the boiler, that would also be helpful.