Am I Adding Water Too Often??

HotChocolate1947

While investigating a problem with my heating system, I learned that having to add water too often is an indication of a leak in the system. The person who installed the oil fired boiler in the house marked the sight glass with two black lines. I add water when the level falls to the bottom black line. I fill to the top black line. I add about an inch of water if you measure using the sight glass. I've been doing this once a day lately. However, the temperature has been 40 degrees during the day and 30 degrees during the night. It's not that cold. Do you you think I might have a leak in the system? Or, is this normal? Thanks in advance.

Steamhead

You definitely have a leak. All the water that leaves the boiler as steam should be coming back as water.

What model boiler is it? How old? Where are you located?

ethicalpaul

1 inch on the sight glass should last several weeks or more during the heating season

HotChocolate1947

The boiler is a Burnham. It's 17 years old and located in MA :)

Steamhead

Burnham V8 or PV8?

HotChocolate1947

I'm not sure what Burnham type. The model is MST396ST with an 86 efficiency. Does this make a difference?

Long Beach Ed

Your leak may simply be a radiator vent not closing against steam or a leaking radiator valve stem. A plumber who is versed in steam heating repairs can tighten up things.

Steamhead

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1823385#Comment_1823385

It's a MegaSteam, which is hands down the best residential steamer out there. Way better than the V8.

I highly doubt this boiler is leaking, though anything is possible. As others have said, look for leaking vents, valve packing, buried return lines etc.

HotChocolate1947

I looked around the boiler and saw no signs of water marking or leaking. I watched during the heating cycle and looked at all the pipes which are luckily above ground. I saw no leaks. After 5 minutes of running and a few clicks of the vents, I went outside to look for steam from the chimney. I saw nothing. It was 37 degrees outside. When the heating cycle was complete, I went to all the radiators to look for signs of water. I saw nothing. However, there was one radiator with kitchen cabinet built around it. ****! What kind of genius does that! I guess the water could be coming out as steam? Or leaking a bit of water from the screwy radiator in the cabinet. I guess the only way to check now is to do one radiator at time and look for steam? Any advice (better approaches)? Would a plumber be able to do this easier? Maybe an infrared camera?

ethicalpaul

one radiator at a time and look for steam, that is the way. On a long call for heat when the whole radiator is hot

HotChocolate1947

Do I hold my hand (with glove) above the vent and check for moisture? How much time do I have? Wouldn't I have to check one radiator at a time per heating cycle? I hope this isn't how a plumber would do it. It would take forever, right? Unless, I'm missing something.

Jamie Hall

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1823747#Comment_1823747

A mirror is much better. You'll just get fogging — unless the vent is really toast, in which case you'll know it right quick.

And a plumber would make an educated guess to start with on the vents and then, yes, go around to the various radiators. Might be able to do several in one cycle, though.

HotChocolate1947

I noticed one of my radiators was hissing during the entire heating cycle. I'm guessing that one is leaking. I also noticed one hisses during the start of the heating cycle for a few minutes; then, it makes a little gurgling sound, clicks, and finally the hissing stops. However, this one is one the second floor. Is it hissing for a bit longer because it's on the second floor and it takes a bit longer to push the air out?

RTW

If it's a vent issue, try boiling the vents in white vinegar for 5 minutes, let cool and replace using Teflon tape on the threats.

Regards

RTW

HotChocolate1947

@RTW I was toying with just replacing it because it's at least 32 years old (probably a lot older). Do you think the gurgling sound from the other vent may indicate it needs replacing/cleaning too? Perhaps, there is another issue; or, maybe no big deal?

dabrakeman

It may have gotten a little water in it. Take it off and try shaking it out. Once off and if you are boiling the other vent anyway can't hurt to boil this one.

RTW

Boiling vents in white vinegar for 5 minutes cant hurt - the new ones won't last anywhere near your 32 year old vent

Regards,

RTW

HotChocolate1947

@RTW Sadly, you're probably right about the quality of modern vents. I also hear their off the shelf defective rate is pretty bad too.

RTW

If your willing to do the maintenance to your older system, simply boil every single radiator vent in vinegar and go from there - if it substantially reduces need for make-up water the problem is solved. If you come across a broken vent then replace it.

I solved my "adding water issue " this way, so if you know how to boil water you can do this, just sayin

Regards,

RTW

ethicalpaul

Or if your time is valuable at all,

https://www.supplyhouse.com/sh/control/search/~SEARCH_STRING=maid%20o%20mist%20angle%201/8%20air%20valve

I don't find MoM quality worse than 30 years ago, nor Gorton. I wasn't in steam 30 years ago but some of the vents I have seen were 😅

They will eventually fail, and some might be damaged from shipping or whatever, but overall I've been very happy with these name brand vents (as opposed to no-name ones from Home Depot)