Steam System losing water

Rem77

Hi 
 I have a 9 unit commercial building with new Steam Boiler and all new wet returns. Somehow the Boiler is losing 2 gallons of water per day and I cannot find any leaks in the return lines. Can a seasoned professional tell me if this is 
Possible? and if not , where could the water be going? I don't see any Noticeable leaks in any of the apartments.

Thanks
Bob

ethicalpaul

It's probably difficult-to-see steam leaks but you can narrow it down (even though it's already quite narrowed-down due to having a new boiler and new return lines that are verifiably not leaking)...

See if any drop in water level occurs when the boiler is not firing for a period of time (might be difficult depending on weather)...if the level isn't dropping unless the boiler is boiling, you know the problem is north of the boiler.

Also, was the system losing water before the replacement?

Jamie Hall

As someone once said -- trust but verify. If you can, verify that there are no leaks in the new piping or any new joints or valves. Two gallons is a lot -- in fact way too much for a heating boiler, even a big one -- but just one drip per second somewhere will amount to that.

Does this system have dry returns and are they older? If so, go and do the same thing along the entire length of the dry returns, paying particular attention to fittings.

No joy? OK, now you are probably looking for steam leaks, and the first place I'd look would be at the vents, to make sure they are all really closing -- particularly older ones, or any which were in place if the system was ever operated over 3 psi. Then the packing on radiator valves and at their unions. Keep in mind that a steam leak, particularly a small one, can be really hard to see.

Good luck.

109A_5

Hello @Rem77,
Its new, But... Any white looking exhaust from the chimney ? Also I'd let it cool then flood it (just the boiler) and make sure the boiler itself is not leaking.

Big Ed_4

The problem with apartment buildings is getting everyone on board to find the problem . The best way to find the leaks is to crank up the boiler and run around each apartment , you will hear the steam . You may find some remove the steam vents for better heat , Some will not let you in for their own reason and others are not home . Its a tough job when your dealing with people ...

Rem77

Thanks for all the advice