Hot water boiler?: I have no idea what I've gotten into

frank_29

I live in a two story house in Baltimore built in 1921. It has a gas boiler in the basement, and large iron radiators throughout. I've always assumed it was steam heat. However, I'm remodelling the bathroom and decided to remove and relocate the radiator to the other side of the room. When I unhooked the radiator, to my surprise, water started coming out, a lot at first, 3-4 gallons, then a constant trickle. I quickly went downstairs and shut off the water supply and drained some water from the boiler. It stopped leaking.

After finding your incredibly informative site, I have come to the conclusoin I have a hot water boiler system...two pipe variety. am I right? My overflow tank however is on the ceiling in the basement above the boiler. It's tag says it's an expansion tank.

Now my questions. When I relocate the radiator, do I need to do anything special to refill the system? The bathroom in question is on the second floor and the radiator has its own dedicated risers. I intend on adding a 90 degree bend off the existing pipe in the basement so the risers will go up the wall on the other side of the bathroom. Will that be ok?

We've only been in the house a year and I noticed the upstairs heats way before the first floor...can this be corrected with the disks with the hole (orfice plate)...can I purchase them somewhere or will I have to fabricate.

I think it's pretty neat that I have this type of system. It seems rather efficient. I really would like to tweek it as much as possible. Is there anything I should do to increase effeciency? Fully drain system etc? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks

Frank
Baltimore

Doug Wagoner

Sounds like hot water to me, Frank.

The expansion tank seems to be the clincher with the limited information given. Are there any circulating pumps or is this a gravity system--another question that you may not be able to answer. Moving the bath rad to the other side of the room may not cause a problem if you have a pump to move the water. On the other hand if it is gravity flow---no way to tell from here.

Dale

Steam vs hot water

Sounds funny to some of the people here but with new techs the first thing to learn is how to tell the difference between old hot water and steam. My way is to look at the controls steam is always pressure controlled hot water is temp controlled. Next is the relief valve marking 15psi for steam, 30psi for hot water. The other things like pumps, xpan tanks and low water cut offs and gauge glasses can fool you on the really old stuff. As to your water radiator relocate question, make sure the rad has a working air vent. It sounds like you system has an expansion tank.