Steam from chimney

Don_175

Have a 6 year old boiler.  It has added about 3 gallons of water since the season started. With this super cold weather we are having in Ohio, it has been adding about a gallon per month. I just happened to be outside recently and saw some steam around chimney. Not a huge amount but it is visible. But it’s also been about 20 degrees. Is that normal? How much should one expect to see as far as water usage if a boiler has a leak above water line? Thanks 

Jamie Hall

Some condensation and visible steam is quite normal, particularly in colder, more humid weather. If you are only adding a gallon a month, you don't have a problem.

To answer your question directly, a leak above the water line is likely to result in gallons --that's; plural -- per day.

Don_175

Thanks Jamie. That’s what I was thinking but I’d never seen steam coming out of chimney before. Must be because it’s been so cold. 

bburd

Gas fired systems will show visible vapor at the chimney or vent in cold weather, due to the very high moisture content in the exhaust gases. This is normal.

Big Ed_4

What you want to see is a clear space between the top of the chimney and where the condensate starts ...