Water line

upstateben

Hello, I'm installing a steam boiler in a pit with gravity return and the old boilers waterline was 7 inches higher than the new boiler going in. The new boilers waterline is still higher than the wet returns running in the basement outside of the pit. My question is if there a certain number of inches the water line should be above the wet returns to prevent any problems. Thanks Ben

Jamie Hall

Noooo… There isn't, really. However, it is good practice to place the boiler so that the low water cutoff elevation -- not the water line -- is above the highest point on any of the wet returns -- preferably several inches higher (two or three). Don't just look at the wet returns at the boiler. Go out in the system, and find every drip on every wet return, right out to the end, and make sure that your new water line is higher. Don't depend on your eye -- use an accurate level -- I have been known to use a surveyor's level -- to make sure.

Better yet -- is there a very good reason why you can't raise the new boiler on concrete blocks so that the water line matches the old one?

EBEBRATT-Ed

What @Jamie Hall said.

Concrete blocks are cheap. Why take a chance. I would like the bottom gage glass tapping above the top of the highest pipe to be sure

Ed N.Y.C.

Before u add or subtract blocks,make sure u have dimention A ed n.y.c.

Jamie Hall

Ed N.Y.C. said:

Before u add or subtract blocks,make sure u have dimention A ed n.y.c.

Except the water line is far more critical -- inadequate A or B dimensions can be managed by managing pressure. A low water line can't.