where to start maintenance on old system new to me

John_75

I'd like some advice on what maintenance I can do myself versus when I should get a plumber's help on the steam system in a house just purchased. I am happy to take time to tinker and learn. I know many posts here are more specific so my apologies for the many questions.

Burnham steam boiler 1 year old. Old cast iron pipes uninsulated. Lots of knocking. Two or more radiators leaking significantly at the pipe that enters to the radiator (not the bonnet valve, the big pipe).
Pressuretrol near end of heating cycle=15 main, 3 diff
internal syphon=6.8psi
when off, the water gauge is full and rusty, during heating I've noticed it half full and more recently third full (perhaps due to increased leaking from radiators?).

Just installed two weeks ago a rite temp programmable stat, jumper set to gas, 6am=62deg, 8am=57deg, 6pm=69deg, 10pm=57deg, swing=5deg. I know on a separate post people were wary of programmable stats but is that just a convenience issue or would it actually impact leaking, damage to system etc?

My intentions are to insulate basement pipes, replace or clean all steam vents unless that is futile if radiators are full of crud.
OK for me to attempt to tighten those leaky radiator valves?
Does the above pressuretrol info suggest a more important issue to address than valves and vents?
I promise to buy Dan's book tomorrow but thanks for any advice.
John

ed wallace

maintenance

1 st thing are you sure its piped correctly if the install manual was left check diagrams against the piping then check you only need 1 1/2 lbs of steam pressure is its a honeywell pa404a set the gauge on out side to .05 remove cover set wheel on inside to 1 facing outward then find a proffesional near you to check out the system

Steamhead

You have a real mess there

The system is too full of water, it's loaded with dirt, the pressuretrol is too high....

First things I'd do are flush out the system, set the Pressuretrol as low as it will go (if that's the one with the plastic front, main at 1.5 PSI and diff at 1) and fix the leaks at the radiators. If these leaks are around the valve stem (shaft on which the handle is mounted) you can probably do this by tightening the packing nut. If you tighten the nut until no more threads are visible below it and it still leaks, you can replace the packing under the nut.

But it sounds like your system might need more help than that. Since this is your first experience with steam heat, having a pro come in and go over the system with you would be money well spent. Try the Find a Professional page of this site to locate one near you. If you're in the Baltimore area, contact me.

I'm not familiar with the Rite-Temp thermostat but it sounds like yours is letting the temperature rise and fall too much. If the system is in good shape and the programmable stat is set up properly, there's nothing wrong with using this type of stat on steam.

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

Michal

as stated by steam head

Steam head stated exactly what you nee dto do, get a guy in there and go step by step, there are some simple things you can do, like blow down the low water cut off each month, and stuff. a service/owners manual will tell you everything you should do, leaks at radiators, can be a few things, leaking unions at radiators, or leacking nipples, these can be taken apart, put pipe dope on and tighten back up, but its hard to say and start giving info like this, get a reputable guy to come in, not the one who cam and instaleld the system and ask away, do not be shy, your paying for it. And be there, do not leave.