Flushing single pipe steam system

Jim Greco_2

I have a 1940's era single pipe steam system that in in pretty good shape. I had to change a pipe on the return side of the Hartford loop and the pipe was clogged with sludge. I assume that a lot of the system is in this condition. What is the best way for me to flush the system clean? Do I open the Hartford loop at the union, remove all the radiators, make a fresh water connection at each one and flush the system out top to bottom?

I did notice that the smell of "stagnant water" shows up in the house if the system fires up after being down for a couple of days.

Thanks in advance.

-Jim

Steamhead

Most of the dirt

will be in the wet return lines. I like to remove the vents from the steam mains, hook up a hose to the vent connections, disconnect the wet return at the Hartford Loop if there isn't a drain there, and let her rip. Oh, be sure there's a place for the dirty water to go!

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ta finnegan

Wet returns.

If they are in really bad shape you should just have them replaced. If you have stagnant water, the lines are not pitched properly somewhere and the pipes and joints might be too corroded to patch back together or pressurize.

Be careful.

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Jim Greco_2

Flushing single pipe system

Guys,

Thanks for the advice. I am going to try the flushing first on a weekend when there is no football (unfortunately, soon.) Maybe I will open the wet returns and take a look at the pipes.

One more...do you usually end up with a lot of dirt in the boiler itself?

Thanks again!