Hammer pipes after boiler change

Boiler Guy

I was wondering that too. Is it possible this is a used appliance. I did not see a LWCO or feed device any where.

gunnar853@yahoo.com

Hammer pipes after boiler replaced

I have two family flat with two boliers in basement.

I had boiler replaced for 2nd floor and now the main pipes "hammers" during heat up. Actually I think it hammers just about all the time.

Heating company says it's because pipe doesn't have enough pitch. But pipes never made noise before boiler change, at least not this loud hammering.

The new boiler is a little larger, and it sits higher than the main return pipe, is this OK?

Thanks.

DanHolohan

Is this

steam or hot water?

gunnar853@yahoo.com

Hot water. No ciruclating pump. I don't know if you call it gravity or condensation.

I just want to know, is it a typical business practice to replace a boiler and have it start banging the pipes and spew steam out all the radiators.

I believe, the new (gist) of the situation is that all our current radiators are shot, now that we've repalced the boiler. (nothing said before purchase)

[Deleted User]

can you post some pictures

of the new boiler install, radiators that are in question, and the main pipe, please. this will help us, help you.

Paul Mitchell

It must be a steam boiler

Do you have one pipe to each radiator.? We need some pics and some measurments. Distance from water line to bottom of header. Distance from water line to lowest main.

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

gunnar853@yahoo.com

just what is it this system?

No doubt, I've no clue as to the correct name for the system. The raditator have a single pipe, with a "flow?" valve at their base. Most have little "bell or cone" shaped blow-off vlave of the opposite end.

Anyway, the situation was, leaky boiler used a lot of water and debris would fall on burners as well as the fact it was just about "dripping" water. At that time house and radiators, would "creak occasioally" but no pipes were "hammering or knocking". I mean this is so bad you can't sleep. The other thing, was that the radiators would "hiss" a little, but not like they do now.....

So the boiler gets replaced, and "all of sudden" the pipes are knocking or hammering and the "blowoff" valves or whatever or whistling like never before.

The two things, I know for sure about the pipes in the basement, the main pipe that come out of the top of the boiler now slants uphill away from the boiler, it used to be perfectly level. The return pipe now has a 3foot section that runs 5inches "uphill" from the low-water return before getting to boiler. This is because this boiler sits higher than the old boiler.

I try and get a photo. Thanks

Claude

sounds like oil in the water. call them back and have it skimmed.

gunnar853@yahoo.com

system has been drained

I drained all the water from the system several times, thinking that somehow this would take out any "airbubble" ro water pockets and make the thing heat up evenly.

Where would oil be "skimmed"?

gunnar853@yahoo.com

pictures

Four pictures showing boiler name plate, low water return pipe at boiler (now going uphill-was level before)
Boiler, main pipe. Main pipe torn away from beam, was level - now goes uphill away from boiler

typical radiator, valve and cone "regulator'

Boiler Guy

Pipiing

Looks like you are missing a few components there. Do you have a copy of the manufacturers installation instructions?

Steamhead

It's \"One-pipe\" Steam

and that boiler is NOT piped correctly. If you don't have the instructions that came with the boiler, get another copy from the manufacturer. Then tell the guy to come back and do it right.

Also get Dan's books on steam heating: "We Got Steam Heat!" (read this one first) and "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" (much more detailed). Order them on the Books and More page of this site.

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

[Deleted User]

looks like one pipe steam system

judging from your radiator..boilers not plumbed in properly...not even close..get a copy of the installation instructions from the manufacturer and read it, then hand it to the installer and have him do the same..its actually amazing it works at all...thanks for posting pictures, it helped alot..pictures worth a thousand words..

[Deleted User]

and another thing..

why is there what appears to be rust on the built in draft diverter of a recently installed boiler? i stongly suggest some combustion testing take place..should have been done at install but i bet it wasn't since the installer didn't read the instructions which is apparant from looking at the boilers piping layout, which is critical for performance..

Climate Creator

Also

Also if you look at that pressure-trol it's mounted the wrong way! and It looks like the older style? This must be a used unit? Also nice use of shipping couplings.

CC

gunnar853@yahoo.com

Ok- do we have a consensus? Is \"loop\" now screwed?

Yes, it was a "used boiler" and even though the contractor said it was a perfect replacement, it turned out to have it's water connections on the opposite side of the previous boiler. That's why the strange "uphill bend" return pipe.

So the $60,000 question is: What's actually has to happen to get the hammering or banging out of the pipe?

As near as I can tell, when the boiler is started after a long shutdown, the banging starts at the main, and "moves" on up the pipe to the second floor laterals etc. Then on cooling the thunks sort of die-out after 10 minutes of boiler shutdown.

Anyone know "pros" in St Louis MO area? Website shows none.

scrook_2

probe type LWCO

is visible on one of the photo's.

That the OLD boiler that was removed, it looks like it's been around quite a few years!

gunnar853@yahoo.com

I emailed Dunkirk for \"hydronics\" info

OK, I learned a new word, can you say "hydronics"?

So would it be accurate to say that each boiler/steam loop installation must be tuned or customized to the situation within the specifications of the boiler and steam-loop details?

And that if you just change boilers, you end up with hammering? (or poor heating)

[Deleted User]

here's your problem.

your boiler doesn't look like this.

Mad Dog

You got a botch job, my friend.........................

who put it in? Hope you didn't pay too much. Mad Dog

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

Mad Dog

You need PROFESSIONAL HELP

We are here to serve you. Mad Dog

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