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Dirty water/Skimming

Jeff_44
Jeff_44 Member Posts: 94
in Strictly Steam
I have a one-pipe system and the boiler was replaced in 2006 - it's a little Dunkirk PVSB 4. It's been running great for years with clean, stable water. Last fall, I noticed that the water in the sight glass was dirty and bouncing more than usual. Then a few weeks later, I replaced some bad piping near the boiler. I then skimmed the boiler. Since then, I have to reskim about every 15 days. The first sign is water carrying over the top of the site glass, after that the water starts to bounce and the pressure reads higher on the gauge, then the water starts to get dirty.



Each time, I skim until the water becomes clear. This usual takes about 2 hours. (and about 11 to 12 four-gallon bucket loads). My question is - Am I doing something wrong?

Why do I have to repeat this process at about the same time interval? Should I skim for a much longer time even though the water eventually is clear? I've also clean out the wet return and it's running clean.



Any advise would be appreciated.



Thanks



Thanks!

Comments

  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,495
    too fast

    It should take a couple of hours to skim one bucket of water, try doing it long and slow next time and soo how that works.



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • Jeff_44
    Jeff_44 Member Posts: 94
    Thanks

    This is helpful. The manuel doesn't say anything about how fast the water should flow.

    It says the burners should be cycled on and off so that the water doesn't come to a complete boil.
  • stevep
    stevep Member Posts: 37
    edited January 2014
    deleted

    Never mind, redundant.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • vaporvac
    vaporvac Member Posts: 1,520
    How do you know when it's going to steam?

    Hi, I don't mean to hijack this post , but i've been meaning to ask this question...how do you know when the boiler is about to steam, but not yet steaming in order to shut it off and do the skim? Someday I may have heat and will need to figure this out and I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering. Thanks in advance for any input.
    Two-pipe Trane vaporvacuum system; 1466 edr
    Twinned, staged Slantfin TR50s piped into 4" header with Riello G400 burners; 240K lead, 200K lag Btus. Controlled by Taco Relay and Honeywell RTH6580WF
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,261
    Temp

    Just keep it hot. The burner does not have to be running to skim. Maybe check the PH of the water
  • Jeff_44
    Jeff_44 Member Posts: 94
    What about the cold water

    coming from the house system as it enters the boiler? The manual says to cycle the burners on and off during skimming - this has made me a little nervous because the way the water supply is piped, the water is cold but the burners are supposed to be on. It seems like the boiler should be totally cool and then let the house-system water run to enable the skimming process.
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,495
    Slow

    You only let the water trickle out of the port at a very slow rate so the chances of thermal shock are zip.



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge

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