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Steam Boiler giving off acidy taste

charliechicago
charliechicago Member Posts: 131
in Strictly Steam
I have a customer that replaced her steam boiler last winter and she complains of the smell it gives off. When I went over I couldn't smell anything (I have a bad sense of smell) but I could feel on by lips and throat a slight acidy sensation. She said this occurs after the system runs for about 20 minutes or so. Not by the rads, only by the boiler.
Any thoughts?
Thanks, MIke.

Comments

  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    Does she have this boiler in the same area as a water softner or where she stores salts or laundry items like bleach? Is the suppy water for the boiler using water from a water softner?
  • charliechicago
    charliechicago Member Posts: 131
    Need to check. But like I said its only down by the boiler, not the rads. I would think it doesn't have to do with the water.
    Thanks.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,526
    Check your ventilation and draught, sooner rather than later. Like... now. You may not have adequate draught or intake air.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • vaporvac
    vaporvac Member Posts: 1,520
    edited October 2015
    I wouldn't describe it as "acidy", but a newly piped boiler stinks of oil, until it is properly skimmed, as I'm sure you know. Was her boiler cleaned and skimmed properly after install? Mine took a very long time to get rid of that smell.
    Here's another HO experiencing what may be a similar taste/smell: http://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/155891/strange-smell-issue-carbon-dioxide#latest
    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
  • Steamowner
    Steamowner Member Posts: 19
    vaporvac said:

    I wouldn't describe it as "acidy", but a newly piped boiler stinks of oil, until it is properly skimmed, as I'm sure you know. Was her boiler cleaned and skimmed properly after install? Mine took a very long time to get rid of that smell.
    Here's another HO experiencing what may be a similar taste/smell: http://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/155891/strange-smell-issue-carbon-dioxide#latest

    I agree with this. I just had a new boiler put in and it definitely gives off an odor. It was skimmed but it needs to be done again.
    I'm almost positive the smell is of burning oil in the pipes, as it was much worse when it was first installed (note: I had about 40 feet of the main replaced with new piping at the same time as the install so my situation is a bit unique)

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