Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Sight glass full, boiler cycles on and off every 30 seconds.

MoF
MoF Member Posts: 2
in THE MAIN WALL

Hello. I have somewhat of an urgent situation and having trouble finding anyone in the area that knows anything about steam heat. I have a one pipe steam heat system. My Burnham boiler cycles on and off every 30 seconds. As you can see in the pictures the sight glass is almost full. There is also a very loud hissing sound coming from the pipes going to each radiator in the house. After doing some quick research, I read that It could be a faulty thermostat? It does look very old and could probably be replaced. last night that even though the sight glass was almost full, the automatic water feed kicked on. I have not heard it kick on since. Current temps here in Western Pennsylvania are in the negatives so not sure if that may have anything to do with it? Sorry if I've left out any important information but I'm somewhat new to this type of heating system. Please let me know if I can provide any further info

IMG_7965.jpeg
IMG_7958.jpeg
IMG_7957.jpeg
IMG_7962.jpeg
IMG_7961.jpeg

Comments

  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,230

    First step is to drain the water to an acceptable level. About halfway full, give or take. I guess would be that it's cycling on pressure, which is building up due to the excessive water levels.

    MoFLong Beach Ed
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,230

    And your boiler piping, leaves a lot to be desired

    MoFLong Beach Ed
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 25,365
    edited January 22

    I agree — probably cycling on pressure, but the excess water level may be another problem. How long has it been since the pigtail to the pressuretrol was cleaned?

    I doubt that the thermostat has much to do with it.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    MoF
  • MoF
    MoF Member Posts: 2

    thanks. Yes I've been told previously that the boiler piping is shady. I had the boiler serviced last year and he cleaned the pigtail out. Do you think it would help if I cleaned it out again? I would imagine I need to shut off the system completely and let it cool down for an hour or so before draining some water?

  • bburd
    bburd Member Posts: 1,103

    Are you sure that the valves at the top and bottom of the gauge glass are fully open and not obstructed, so that the true water level is shown?

    —
    Bburd

Categories