Losing water fast

Ken_8

If you're calling PSE&G you may be in my neck of the woods, northern NJ?

If I can help, just give us a call. We specialize in steam systems like yours. I'd look at all the vents on the radiators first. One may be missing or flipped to the wrong orientation.

As we Jersey boys say, "I'm near exit 135" on the GSP.

(732) 388-1794



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Jeff_52

Help! Losing water fast

I just moved into a new home with a gas-fired steam furnace. Over the past few days, the water in the gauge has been vanishing fast. Last night it went from the normal range to nearly empty in about 7 hours. I shut it down and called PSE&G because, although I know little about this stuff, I know it's bad for a system to get to the point where there's no water. I hadn't seen any water under the furnace, but when I shut it down a bunch dripped down. The furnace is about 20 years old. What's the likely problem here? How long does it usually take for a gauge to go from normal to empty? What does one do if he has to leave town for a couple days and can't feed water into the system?
Thanks!
Jeff

Michal

look around for leaks

the correct term is steam boiler. well the gauge should be up to the water level marking maybe 1/2" higher thats it. that should last a little while depends on the house or system can be a week, 2 weeks or a month, also you might have a leak some place and either condensate water is leaking out of a pipe or steam is escaping. but you are correct that much water should not have gone in 7 hours

Jeff_52

Losing water fast

One additional thing: if I feed water into the system, do I need to shut it down first? Did I overreact by shutting the system down? It's a dangerous situation when there's almost no water in the gauge, correct?
Thanks again.
J

Jeff_52

Vents

Thanks, Ken. I'll see what the PSE&G guy says -- he should be coming sometime today. I'm just hoping it's something small like a flipped switch or open vent. I'll give you a call as soon as I get an opinion from PSE&G. What are some of the places where I should be looking for leaks?
Thanks. I'm in Maplewood, btw.

Steamhead

If you're saying

"I hadn't seen any water under the furnace, but when I shut it down a bunch dripped down".........

the leak is in the boiler, which will need to be replaced.

I know Ken, if you're in his area you can't go wrong by calling him.

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Steven Todd

PSE&G, pros

Jeff,
HO here (westfield, nj): if the PSE&G guy finds a simple problem and it's fixed great. If he says it is more complicated... well, I have had mixed impressions of PSE&G's skills.

I suggest you read the materials on this site, and get Dan's Art book if you're at all mechanically curious and going to have steam heat in your life.

Ken has done work on my home (smart, straight-shooter; a fine job). Of the 10 yellowbook listings I called, 8 called back, 6 kept their appointments, 4 recommended copper near-boiler piping (bad). Use the Find-a-Pro tool on this site if you'd like other names, but now I just call Ken.

Steve

Steve Paul

losing water

Try a simple test. Shut down and overfill your boiler to a point just above the top of the boiler. If water starts to drip on the floor, the boiler is leaking and must be replaced. TIME TO CALL KEN.

Dave Faust

One additional thing...

DO NOT add water to a hot boiler. That would make it go boom. Let it cool down first.
The are many reasons to " Call a Pro".