Loosing water...

Dan T

Hi,

I have a single pipe steam system in my two-family home. I just purchased the house in June, and the previous owner had installed a new boiler before last winter. I am having two problems right now, which I'm not sure if hey are related or not.

Problem 1) Recently, (due to the colder weather I presume), I am buning oil like crazy, to the tune of 200 gallons in just 3 weeks. This seems like a lot to me anyhow. My home is an old one (~100 years) and is about 2300 sq. ft. but recently had new windows and roof installed. Is this in the ballpark of what I should expect to burn, or is there something likely wrong?

Problem 2) Also recently, as in the past week, (when it has gotten noticeably colder), the system seems to be losing water. I say this because I am having to fill it in the morning, each day, due to it shutting-ing off from low-water. It seems strange to me that it would need water every day if things were working properly (I was thinking like once a week maybe). I have checked the entire basement for signs of leaks, and also the air vents on the radiators themselves for leaking steam, but found none.

Any ideas, or next steps for me to take?

Thank You!!!

-Dan

Unknown

I would suspect leaks in buried returns, or a leak into the combustion area of the boiler, which wouldn't show indoors if it was above the water level. It would show as a white plume from the chimney outdoors when the boiler is steaming.

If the piping above the boiler isn't exactly as the instructions show it, it can cost beaucoup bucks to run, while it still gives some heat.

Other things can come into play, like pipe insulation, boiler firing rate, vents, steam pressure.....

Noel

Dale

I agree with

the other posts and wonder about how the system heats. Alot of water can stay in pipes and rads. What is very important is to blow the low water cutoff down with the system at pressure so it doesn't fail, it's working way too often now and the makeup water makes it worse. If the boiler is good it won't be if the low water cut off doesn't. Whatever you do don't add water to the boiler if it smells or looks hotter that usual, let it cool first. keep the family safe and get it fixed.

Dan T

System heats OK

Hi,

The system does heat seem to heat OK, entire house will warm. (Especially the basement, which gets rather warm...I know that I need to insulate the steam and return pipes, some of which are not right now, to help with this). Radiators heat all the way across in all rooms.

There are no underground returns in this system, so perhaps it is a crack in the boiler chamber? That would really stink, since it is only 1.5 years old. I'll check for the white plumey smoke tonight.

Thanks!!!

-Dan

Steamhead

Another Possibility

is a leaking vent someplace that doesn't always leak. Any vent that doesn't ALWAYS close when steam hits it needs to be replaced.

Also check the radiator shutoffs- they often need to be repacked around the valve stem. If they aren't tight, you'll lose steam.

Speaking of vents- do you have them at the end of each steam main? If not, properly-sized ones will speed steam circulation and reduce the fuel bill.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"