One Pipe Losing water

Unknown

A leaky buried pipe is usually the culprit .

egreen

One Pipe Losing water

I have a one-pipe steam heating system that is losing water. I use it to make hot water in the warmer months, heat and hot water in the winter. This summer I have had to add 3-4 gals of water per month( 10-gal cap.). I have checked the piping, jackets and look inside the heating chamber, and can’t find the source. There is no sign of steam coming out the chimney. I don’t have automatic water feed on the unit; I prefer to add when needed. In the past 10 years that I have owned the house the boiler has never needed water in the summer months. In the winter months I typically add a gal or two. Any thought?

Unknown

yeeap..

I seconded Ron jr saying about buired return pipe(s)..

Steamhead (in transit)

In the summer

you may not be able to see any steam coming out of the chimney. The boiler isn't getting that warm, and the outside temperature is high enough that steam coming from the chimney might not produce a white plume of condensation.

I would flood the boiler (fill it higher than the sight glass) and see if any water leaks into the firing zone or onto the floor. If it does, you need a new boiler.

I'll second the others about buried return lines to.

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egreen

Thanks for the info, none of the pipes are buried, but I will flood the boiler and look inside.