Steam Piping For Residential Boiler

chad444

I recently had boiler replaced. There is a log of surging / hammering around the house. The plumbing contractor has skimmed it a few times and the problem keeps coming back. I have a question about the way the steam piping was installed. There is a connection between the header (above boiler) down to the return line. Prior boiler was not set up this way. Please see pics. Is this correct design and can this be part of the problem?
Additional info: This is a one pipe steam system with a steam return piping at floor level throughout basement back to boiler.





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cross_skier

The connection from the header to return is at the wrong end of the header.  It needs to be at the end of the header opposite the riser from the boiler.  Fix this and it will make a huge difference

EBEBRATT-Ed

@chad444

@cross_skier is right the copper pipe (equalizer) needs to be connected to the tee at the other end of the header. It needs to be connected with a reducing elbow (not a buchinh ) very important. The copper equalizer needs to be the right size ....not sure it is

Also check that the header is 24 " minimum above the middle of the water sight glass. Also check the boiler manual and see if your specific model boiler requires more than 1 steam riser.

Or post the boiler model # so we can look it up

Bottom line:

Your installer did not read the piping instructions or follow the piping diagram in the boiler manual

ethicalpaul

Plumbing/HVAC licenses are so hard to get and yet this occurs.

EzzyT

Near boiler piping needs to be redone as others have mentioned 

EBEBRATT-Ed

If the boiler only needs one riser and the riser/header is the right size then the fix is easy

chad444

Thank you everyone. Very thorough answers - and fast!

JUGHNE

Also, the horizontal header must slope down towards the equalizer connection.
If that connection is on the opposite end of the header it may not drain the header correctly.
And as stated you reduce only on the vertical drop to avoid water pockets.