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Why is there A Lot MORE water a week after blow-down?

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marcusjh
marcusjh Member Posts: 79
in Strictly Steam
Hi!

I ran the water off on Sunday (2/14), and re-filled up to where you see it in the photo. I just went down to the basement, and discovered it was OVER where I had filled it (maybe a half inch over the black mark on the glass)
Is this due to condensate returning?? I can't believe there would be THAT much coming back - but maybe there is... ?

Also - as you'll see on the other photos, there's a reaction with the side of the furnace happening with the copper, I'm guessing that we need to have a plumber come out and re-direct these so they aren't touching the side anymore.
I know that's a mixing valve buried in there, but what is the Dole Valve do? I know it's upside down, but that's how it's installed. Does that add water automatically?

Thanks!

Marcus

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,948
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    Do you have an automatic feeder on the boiler?
  • marcusjh
    marcusjh Member Posts: 79
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    I don't think so? But maybe I'm wrong - check the photos. I can take more if needed.
    I looked up the Dole Valve, and it sounds like it adds water upon a change in pressure? Does that sound right?
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 857
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    It looks like you have a "tankless coil" (or what I call a "thankless coil") used to supply your domestic hot water.
    That coil may have a pin-hole leak in it that is adding unneeded water to your boiler.
    Try shutting off the cold water supply to the coil. If that stops the over-filling of your steam boiler, that is pretty good evidence that a failed coil is the culprit.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 857
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    That Dole valve is really a flow restrictor, basically inside of it is a small hole.
    That reduces the flow of cold water through the coil to allow it to "pick up" the heat from the boiler more readily. Without it, you would get a blast of scalding hot water for about 28 seconds, then it would cool off rapidly.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • marcusjh
    marcusjh Member Posts: 79
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    AH! This answers a lot of questions... I was under the (newbie) impression that the water in the boiler (that creates the steam for the radiators) was what we used for hot water. Had no idea what a tankless coil was (though I've seen the term reading through some posts). Thanks. Hope this isn't the case, but if it is, I'm sure I'll be back.

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