Low PSI in my boiler.

mjf69

I am looking to raise the PSI on my boiler as it is currently running 8-10 PSI.
It is in a cape and located in the basement. Needless to say I not getting any heat out of the radiators on the second floor. Baseboards and radiators on first floor are ok, but probably not getting the heat they should. With the extreme cold we are getting in the northeast at the moment my house is barely getting up to the temp set on the thermostat, I believe because the pressure is too low and not dispersing the steam enough.
Any help in trying to raise the PSI would help as I would like to avoid making a service call is I can.

KC_Jones

This is a steam system and you are at 8-10 PSI? That is WAY TOO high for steam. It shouldn't be above 1.5 PSI or so. If the steam isn't getting to the rads it's not a pressure problem. You seriously need to turn that pressure down big time. What is the venting like on your system? How about the near boiler piping? Post some pictures of that. You definitely have an issue and the pressure isn't it...other than being too high.

Mark N

Check your venting, the pipes are filled with air that needs to be vented out so steam can enter. I and others heat fine with less than 1 oz pressure. Post some pictures and crank that pressuretrol down.

mjf69

sorry, maybe I am describing something wrong. steam probably wasn't the right word to use. I know it should be in the 12-15 PSI range as it has been in the past. Just a regular oil powered hot water system with an expansion tank in the rafters.

Gordo

You may have a hole in your boiler above the water line that is allowing the steam to blow up your chimney.

How much water are you using?

If you have a steam system, you will need a steam pro to look at it-sorry. Most repair folks know next to nothing how steam should work. As KC said, you only need 1.5psi maximum. That is the first test of a steam pro: If he says that you need more steam pressure to get it up to your second floor, you must not let him touch your system!

Your pressure gauge may be not telling you the truth (it is clogged or broken). You should never see any pressure on that useless 30 psi gauge when your system is operating properly.


If you have a hot water system, 8 -10 psi is barely enough and that is a different issue.

Gordy

If this is a hot water system you need to get your system psi up to 12-15. There should be a fresh water feed line to the boiler. It should have a pressure reducing valve. Is the water feed line valve open?

What type of expansion tank is in the system? Bladder, or steel tank up in the ceiling?

If it is a bladder, or diaphram type expansion tank you need to check the psi when isolated from the system it should be 12-15. If it's not its possible the tank has failed, or has not been checked in a while, and lost some pressure.

Sorry I see that it is a compression type tank so you need to add more water to the system to get the psi up. Possibly then having to bleed air keeping the psi up while doing so. Then i would monitor system pressure to be sure you don't have leaks.

Gordo

It sounds like you are going to need a true heating pro to check over your system soon. If you get a good one, it will be money well spent.

It has been my sad experience that all too many oil burner techs know little about hot water heating systems, to say nothing about steam.

And all too many "oiler burning" techs know scary little about oil burner maintenance and set-up, too.

Sad, but true.

icesailor

They work for oil companies that expect them to do quality service, 8 cleanings in a 8 hour day. Without providing digital combustion analyzers.

How can a Tech soar with Eagles when they get hired to work for turkeys.

Sadder.

BobC

The turkeys are happy to roll along till a lawyer knocks on the door and then the "Woe is me" song from He-Haw starts.

One of my old bosses always used to tell us to work smarter, not harder. Having the right tools goes a long way and they don't have to be the best tools.

Bob

icesailor

BobC said:

The turkeys are happy to roll along till a lawyer knocks on the door and then the "Woe is me" song from He-Haw starts.

One of my old bosses always used to tell us to work smarter, not harder. Having the right tools goes a long way and they don't have to be the best tools.

Bob

Knowing how to work with what you have goes a longer distance than having the latest tool weenie tool. Unless it is useful and you use it.

jonny88

What fill valve are you using and why is it not filling as required.If it is a Taco(green)they sometimes get clogged.You can take it apart and clean or go for a caleffi.Thats where I would start