The Main Things That Go Wrong With Boiler Water

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The Main Things That Go Wrong With Boiler Water

Here are the main things that can go wrong with boiler water and how to fix the boiler water in your steam-heating system.

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Bill_Kitsch69

Surging? Foaming? Can't even see the waterline in the sight glass? (clean it first and..)
*Get a skimmer on that unit - at or above waterline where possible. Know how to skim, which requires refilling hot without damaging boiler.
*Clear gage glass ports, and ensure clear/new glass and control tree.
*Fire unit. Skim. Settle. Skim some more. Repeat.
*Cool, drain, flush. Then flush. Flush, and flush.
*When boiler and return run clear, wash out with TSP per instruction - a process in itself.
*Rinse/flush.
*Don't forget to blowdown, or wash LWCOs through all this; disassemble, clean and re-gasket as necessary.
*Inspect, clean, or replace any LWCO probes.
*Repair any leaks/bad piping.
*Fill, test all functions, troubleshoot any system problems.
*A lot of dirt/mud could come back from the system on shakedown. So be prepared to flush, maybe even wash again if extreme contamination issues ensue.
*With your fresh start do water tests. Adjust? Softened? Fill with distilled? Treat.
*Remember to create/leave a way to add water treatment easily in the future.
*I like SteamMaster tablets treatment as a coverall. Does a good job protecting surfaces. Lasts.
*Warn the customer of potential costs ahead of time. It's a holistic thing as living with steam heat is a lifestyle choice..

GravityHeat

How about water in a hot water boiler? Any similar concerns?

GGross

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1857797#Comment_1857797

For closed systems. Start with good water within the specs the manufacturer sets (don't just fill with fresh water from the domestic supply unless its well within spec for example). Don't leave an open fill valve from the domestic line, either use a feeder system with controlled water or glycol mix, or leave the fill valve closed so you can monitor make up water, if you require makeup water then you should find and fix the leaks first. Best bet is to use DI water, don't have any leaks, and to use DI water for makeup water. Glycol systems should be tested regularly and may need to be changed after a few decades or so.

RonBeck

my theory that has worked for me and hundreds of others over the years for new installs is get the boiler hot until steam starts rising into the header. Turn the boiler off.

Skim from a skim taping slow and steady. Do not retire the boiler, if you do it’s like putting a blender in the boiler water stirring. All the oils up again.

Continue to skim until the water coming out the skim taping is Luke warm to the touch.

This process is normally once and done.