Return lines clogged--steam system

btc

I believe my dry returns are partially clogged--can tell water flow back into boiler has slowed from previous years. Question-what would standard approach be to get these unclogged? Snake line? Chemicals? I will call a pro, just wanted to get knowledge from HH group. Thx. Bigb

tom_59

slow

It will require a pro to figure this one out. Too many possibilities. clogged dry returns is highly unlikely.

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Patrick Linhardt, \"Linhardt's Field Guide to Ste

wet return perhaps?

> I believe my dry returns are partially

> clogged--can tell water flow back into boiler has

> slowed from previous years. Question-what would

> standard approach be to get these unclogged?

> Snake line? Chemicals? I will call a pro,

> just wanted to get knowledge from HH group. Thx.

> Bigb

Patrick Linhardt, \"Linhardt's Field Guide to Ste

wet returns perhaps?

Hi Bigb,

I think you may have your terms confused. A dry return is above the waterline of the boiler. A wet return is at and below the waterline of the boiler.

The wet returns are what get clogged up. They are at the bottom of the system and collect the debris for years without cleaning. It is very rare for a dry return to clog.

Hope this helped. Re-pipes are best since most wet returns take some turns that snakes can't.

Best regards, Pat

T-O

If I understand correctly, you think you have a problem in the dry return because you have to add water to the boiler more frequently than you did before. Do you have a one or two pipe steam system? Have you changed anything in the system before you noticed this?
T-O

btc

Thanks to all for inputs. Water level falling--on each cycle. I havent changed anything in system. One pipe steam, gravity return, no traps, vapor or anything fancy. Return pipes are above water line until last few feet into boiler (dry return?). Main difference is that at end of cycle, used to sound like running water back into boiler, now it is much less flow (sound) and water level does not recover to beginning of cycle. My sense is partially clogged returns or some other obstruction. Wanted some advice before I call plumber on this. Much thanks.

thfurnitureguy_4

Do you add water?

Bigb, If it is slow to recover the water line than it is an obstruction or a sagging pipe. If you have to add water than you have a leak. I would check the few feet before the boiler return for the obstruction. The junk washes to the lowest spot. Any flush valve near that low spot? hook up a washer hose and back flush the crap out of it. Hope this helps

Unknown

Very rare

for a dry return to get clogged , but it does happen . We found a 1 inch black ell connected right under a 2 by 1 ell on a main totally plugged . It must've been that way for years because the people complained about loud banging for so long they thought it was normal . We broke that all out and dropped it down in 1 1/4 to be safe .

Bigb , can you tell us what size ells and pipe are at the end of the main where the dry return starts ?

btc

Thanks to all for additional insight. This might be worse than I feared--I added water to boiler this am and purposely went above water line level (not much, but filled glass up)--it seems like water then escaped from boiler near top--could hear hiss on burners below. Wonder if my problem might be leaks in top of boiler. It is not a new boiler. Still operates well, heats all rads evenly, quiet, etc. and even if problem is leak in boiler top, wonder why I am not getting condensation "rush" back into boiler like used to. Thanks for help thusfar--any thoughts on this scenario?

STEVE PAUL_3

clogged returns

When you over filled the boiler, you performed the classic test for a leaking steam boiler. YOU GOT ONE! Time to call in a Pro and talk about replacement.