Filling Cistern

George_10

which you should get a professional to look for, I will bet that this system has not been cleaned and treated for years.

You can check out our products on www.rhomarwater.com

Try the "Find a Professional" on the left side of the home page. Enter your zip and you will usually find some one who could help you.

Tom S_3

Filling Cistern/expansion tank

I am new to world of radiant heat and I am having trouble getting heat to the rads on the second floor in a turn of the century house. The system appears to be a gravity system (water) from what I have read. The boiler is relatively new 20/30 years old. There does not seem to be a pump. TRhe only thing I can determine from what I have read is that I need to the expansion tank. The problem is that I can't find any way to fill it. If this is what is needed. If any one has an idea of what I can do to fix this problem please let me know.

Thanks

Brad White_9

Normally

a true gravity system will have the tank in an attic space and the water fill occurs there. May be automatic based in a float valve (like an old toilet tank). Like you are probably thinking, I see a fill level below your second floor right now.

If there is not an automatic fill it may be manual. Look for a CW line nearby. Cannot imagine that "nothing" is there!

Generally in gravity HW the upper floors heat first (greater lift potential = faster heating.)

It is a good quiet kind of heat and affords a form of "poor man's Outdoor Reset" in that the hotter water coincides with more firing time in colder weather.

Tom S_3

Fill Expansion Tank

The expansion tank is at the highest point and there is one line going to the base and one going out of the top and out to the roof. There is also an altimeter in the boiler. Not sure how to read this accurately and if to trust it. The system is quiet.

If it is not a HW system then is it a steam system?

Brad White_9

Not a steam system

Classic gravity HW. The vent to the roof is a spill vent. In case of over-filling or over-firing you get your roof washed for free.

The altimeter should read the height in feet with an alternate PSI scale possibly. If it does not move, you have an issue with it. Cheap to replace though, about $30-$50 for a good one. Maybe less.

Gravity systems are incredibly quiet! (Oops! Shhhhhh... sorry, did not mean to shout... )

Often there is a sight glass on the tank (should be obvious if it is there) or the valves for one if it is long gone. These valves make a good place to install an automatic level controller to keep you in fighting trim..

Tom S_3

System

Both gauges are there. Don't know if they are functional...don't know how to test them. I guess I could open something....

No evidence of a float valve at all.

How do I get heat upstairs???

Brad White_9

There simply has to be

a water fill location. It may not be in the attic, it may be near the boiler. It may be a manual globe, gate or ball valve. But it has to be there. If not, have a plumber create one and fill the system.

Tom S_3

re

This is my problem. I have all the clues of having both a HW and a steam system. I can find no tank.

Allow me to explain something. This is a rental property and the person I am renting from is 500+ miles away and is not real enthusiastic about spending money. I am a very handy mechanically speaking but I have never had a system like this. My systems have all been forced air systems.

I should have a reservoir but I don't.

Brad White_24

Oh...

I gathered from your first postings that you had an expansion tank, -described in detail with a vent to the roof no less. Now you say you do not have one. I am confused. Can you explain that again? Maybe I am missing something.

If it is a steam system chances are great (99%) that for a small house it will be a one-pipe steam system. Your radiators will have one pipe into them via an angle valve near the bottom usually. If hot water you will have two pipes, usually but not always on opposite sides.

If it has no pump and is a water system it is a gravity hot water system.

If there is insufficient water in the system you have to add it.

If you have to know if it is full, take the height of the system to the expansion tank in feet and divide by 2.31. This will give you psi. Replace the gauge if you have no faith in it, and fill to the prescribed psi reading.

Not sure what else I can add to this, but give it a try and see what happens.

But if a rental and no heat? Call the landlord and tell him and have him commit to a fix. Or call the local board of health which governs rental properties and get them involved.

Good luck!

Brad

Tom S_3

RE

There is an expansion tank and there is evidence of a float meter on the outside. I am going to see if there is some way of letting water in the system. I guess there should be some way that the system will equalize itself if it has water source that is turned on.

Brad White_12

You want to watch the water level

just in case the float valve sticks. Otherwise you will have water spilling onto you roof! (Not the worst thing, but it will tell you, "yup, it's full!".)

Be prepared to vent your now-dry radiators also.

Let me know how it turns out.

Brad