Newer Boiler old pipes

Andy_7

I'm not in the business... Just a concerned home owner. I had a new Weil McLain SGO-3 boiler installed three years ago and have had problems ever since. Every winter I see rising boiler pressure (sometimes as much as 5psi), water hammering on one main, and water coming out of radiator vents on 1st floor.

I've checked the pitch on just about everything. Replaced all radiator vents with new Varivalves and even replaced some of the insulation thinking that maybe I had a problem with condensation. I have a 2" riser, a 2.5" header and a 1.5" equalizer. The "A" dimension is about 42" and from the waterline to the header is about 40".
While the boiler is running, the water line (glass gauge) bounces up and down about an inch and is very dirty. All the radiators make loud hissing noises and are even worse about 30 seconds after the boiler has turned off. Aside from the yearly maintenance, we have someone hear 1 to 2 times every year for this problem. Everyone seams to just flush the system but I'm wondering if the problem is with something else. I have someone scheduled to come here again this Friday (1/30) but am getting frustrated and considering converting to hot water base board. Please help!!

Fred P

just a guess

but maybe you return lines are clogged and backing up the water into the mains which end up in your rads??

marco_2

replace main vents

from one homeowner to another ---

the steam may not be pushing the air out of the system before the air (not steam) reaches your rads. this should happen at the end of each main line --- you should have a large vent on the end of each steam main. they're a little more difficult to replace than rad vents, but not much.

Flushing will help somewhat, but in an old system, slightly dirty water is viewed by some to be normal.

bob young

hobbiests

hobbiest homeowners giving advice on steam systems---what could be more insane??? other hobbiests listening to them.

Paul Mitchell

Your system

First as all will say you should get some of Dan's books. If you have them already...ok. Main vents are a good idea to check. Plugged returns very likely. I would turn down the pressure control to a max pressure of 1.5 psi. As you increase that pressure it will push water up in the returns. A house that can heat with a SGO3 doesnt or shouldnt need alot of pressure. The pressure could really be your biggest problem. Maybe the main vents are not working properly and you are trying to force all the air out of the rads.
Good Luck
Paul

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

Andy_7

Thanks for all the ideas... The pressure is currently set to 2 psi but will try turning down to 1.5. One thing I just noticed is the shorter (14 foot) main has no vent whereas the longer main does at the end of the dry return. Is there any reason for this or should all returns always have a vent? How do you go about sizing the main vents if both mains have 2" pipe, one 24 feet long and the other 14 feet long?? Also, is there any way to test the returns to see if there plugged without taking them apart?

Tim Gardner

skimmed?

Have you skimmed the boiler? Flushing it will not get the oil out. A bouncing water line is one symptom suggesting it needs skimming (or more thorough cleaning). I recommend reading Dan's book.