Auto water refill is running several times a day

jlc229

I recently bought a house with a steam system and have been trying to learn more about it. I’ve noticed this week that the auto water refill is running several times a day. I’ve checked all of the radiators and pipes for leaks and I don’t see anything. The vent on one radiator does whistle when it gets hot. Does anyone have any suggestions on what the issue could be? Thanks!

Jamie Hall

Well, the good news is that the autofill is running, so your boiler doesn't run dry.

The bad news is that the autofill is running — which means that there is a significant leak somewhere.

The two most likely places are, first, if you have any wet returns — pipes below the boiler water line — they may be leaking. Particularly if any of them run under the floor somewhere — that could leak without you being at all aware of it. The second is, unhappily, that there is a leak in the boiler, probably above the water line. That would not show up as water anywhere, but you might see evidence of it if you go outside when the boiler is running and you see considerable steam from the chimney — not just wisps of white smoke, as you might see from a car warming up on a cold morning, but considerable steam — perhaps almost billows of it (very picturesque, but not what you want).

Now there are ways to locate or at least pin down the leak problem — but they pretty well have to be done on warmer days, when you can turn off the boiler for a while. If there is a leak in the wet return, and you turn off the boiler and the autofeed, the water level will drop to the level of the Hartford Loop where the returns enter the boiler — and stop there. Do that first; if the level continues to drop below that point, the leak has to be in the boiler below that elevation. If that doesn't find it, fill the boiler up to the top (a bit tricky — you want to get water up to the header, but no higher…) and let it sit. Look inside the firebox for evidence of wetness — and around the boiler.

leaking

I don’t have a boiler leak and my autofill has always run a few times a day . Since new Weil McLain 6/23 LGB was out I. 10 years ago , and the old one that did not leak . I dont have boiler leaks . Radiator vents must close when heat hits them or steam is let out . Replace vents that dont close , or hiss. They should ideally not hiss , mabye for 5 seconds ok. Use a quality brand Dole, Gorton , or others I don’t know about , What’s in there now ? Cheap is cheap . Another area of leaks are old valve packing’s and loose fittings . Often at the valve area . Is floor wet , damp ? Any water visible? You can get a moisture meter or pour some baking flour under the valve area to see If it gets wet, I use drywall dry mix because that’s what I have . My leaks are old vents and old valves and pipes at the radiator. Old valves usually can be re packed . Dont start panicking thinking you need a boiler!! I have 50 radiators, , I’ve always got a leak somewhere. It’s Life . 🧑🏻‍🎄🎉🍷🥃🎉🎉🎉

leaking

I’ve been with this building a long time . My first place I lived in 1957!!!! No pipe no boiler leaks ! Old vents , valves , valve packing , bad connections at radiators . Are the main issue . It’s steam not hot water . Steam leaks. HW heat no. 50+ years and Kewanee did not leak ! All of Chicago I’d old buildings . I think many repair men read the books , but don’t own or manage a 50 and 75 radiator buikding , or sit in the boiler room for 4 hours at 20f outside hearing it run many cycles . It’s my office the boiler room .

Jamie Hall

Steam leaks? Shouldn't. For reference — since @leaking has brought up what must resemble a sieve, Cedric and the system he powers is not as large —only 30 radiators or so — but does not leak.

Or to put it another way, other than the water lost when the LWCO is blown down, the system has taken zero water. None. For a year and a half now. Now there was a leak before that — about a gallon a week — but that got fixed.

Leaks are neither inevitable nor tolerable.

jlc229

@Jamie Hall i went outside after it fired up today and there was a lot of steam coming from the chimney :( since this means I probably need a new boiler, do you think I should address this now or wait until it’s warmer ?

Jamie Hall

Oh dear. I'm sorry about that. My suggestion — and it's only that — as to what to do next is to locate and line up a really good steam man to come and properly size for a new boiler and then install it. This is not something can should be attempted in a hurry — but getting someone lined up to come should be done as soon as possible.

In the meantime… keep an eye on things and make sure that your autofill really is maintaining your water levels, and that the low water cutoff really does work. Other than corrosion problems and cost, there really is no harm to once through steam systems.