Where to start??

SynrG

I s'pose "wallies" is better than "walleyes" but I'm not sure by how much. LOL Pics are on my agenda for today, but it may be this evening after I get back from the barn.

Oh, and I'd planned to start at the beginning and not only because "it's a very fine place to start." It also saves backtracking later.

SynrG

SynrG

Where to Start??

We bought a new (old) house in June and it's heated with a one-pipe steam radiator system. Upon initial startup (initial=first time this fall) there were lots of noises: clanging, banging, and hissing being the most predominant. Of course -- as Murphy's Law would have it -- the noisiest vent was in the bedroom (bothering neither the cats nor the boyfriend) and I was spending way too much dream time trying to find the shutoff for the burner under the teakettle. *sigh*

As if to add insult to injury, the low-water cutoff failed (circuit board stopped completing the circuit!) so we were without heat during the first cold snap. Knowing what I know now (thanks to this site and a penchant for web searching), we probably could've done the replacement ourselves. However, at least we learned a few things about our boiler (and the repair service, but we won't go there).

Since then, I've been reading on this site and have downloaded and printed the boiler manual. Also, after having been functioning for a couple of months, the system is much less noisy. (The bedroom vent is down to the decibel level of a flatulent car tire -- it used to sound more like an air horn on steroids.) However, the system still needs some work so I have a few questions:

* What's the best place to start, assuming a lack of proper maintenance? (The house was previously a rental so it's unlikely there was much done to the heat system.)

* Several of the vents still hiss audibly (no spitting that I can tell) and, from my reading, I guess they're supposed to vent air silently. Realizing that I probably need to start with some basic maintenance, where do I start with the vents?

* All but three of the radiators have some sort of cover and most of them are are of the full enclosure variety. It's nice having some extra shelving space (like I need an excuse to collect *more* stuff!), but I'm guessing (yes, I've read about them) that I should probably evict them?

* If I evict the radiator covers, I'd like to paint the radiators. It seems that the most efficient way would be to remove them one at a time, power wash them outside (I'm sure some of the paint layers are lead paint.), repaint them, and then reconnect them to the system. Yes, this is a warm weather project. Am I going to get into trouble going this route (other than the predictable boyfriend-with-a-power-washer issues)?

* One radiator in particular still bangs and clangs pretty regularly (at least it does often enough to be noticed) and the vent hisses. Luckily, it's in the sunroom so the noise level itself isn't much of a problem. But I'd like to fix it anyway. Yes, I've checked and the valve is fully open. Ideas on this one? Check for correct slant/level first?

Oh, I should probably include some information on the system:

Boiler: Dunkirk series PSB61, model #GSB-187EI

Low Water Cutoff: McDonnell/Miller 24-volt (old one was PS-801 and I think that's been replaced with a PS-802)

Automatic Water Feeder: McDonnell/Miller Universal Model #WF-2U-24.

Anyway, if you've read this far, you're to be commended! Hopefully I included enough information. Anyway, I'd really appreciate some ideas on where to start with getting our system functioning correctly.

Many thanks!
SynrG

Charles G.

Where to start

As always, the best place to start is at the beginning. Since you have no history with this particular unit, and limited knowledge in general, you would be well served getting a PRO out there and have them go through the system from feeder to vents. Yeah, I know the urge to conquer this beast yourself is strong, but there are so many things that could be marginal and so little information we have to deal with, on-site is the best place to start. Then you can do your own maintenance. There can be nearly as much satisfaction in keeping the boiler running without the aggravation of getting it running.

Brad White_9

You started in the right place

You came here to The Wall!

You are to be commended for not only finding this place but for taking so much of it now as your own. You know it, you own it as the sage once said.

For hissing and spitting, I suspect too much pressure, possible improper or less-than-ideal near-boiler piping which is allowing sensible moisture up into the distribution, dirt in the boiler a number of things. Can you post a photo of the near-boiler piping? Silent vents are the "norm" which no one expects. You should expect them.

Also, see this:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/steam_airventsmakenoise.cfm


Radiator covers: I used to be of the school that said that covers cut down on output. That is somewhat true. But I was surprised to find that covers can enhance radiator output. All that and shelf space...cool.

See this:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=77


This will save you untold hours of arguing with Martha Stewart on decor.

If you do go that route, the "boyfriend with the power washer" works fine -until your husband finds out. Paint will peel itself if that happens.

For the sunroom radiator, the pitch back to the valve should be not less than 1/8" per foot. Use a level, not your eye. Houses can be notoriously out of plumb.

SynrG

> You came here to The Wall!

>

> You are to be

> commended for not only finding this place but for

> taking so much of it now as your own. You know

> it, you own it as the sage once said.

>

> For

> hissing and spitting, I suspect too much

> pressure, possible improper or less-than-ideal

> near-boiler piping which is allowing sensible

> moisture up into the distribution, dirt in the

> boiler a number of things. Can you post a photo

> of the near-boiler piping? Silent vents are the

> "norm" which no one expects. You should expect

> them.

>

> Also, see

> this:

>

> http://www.heatinghelp.com/steam_airvents

> makenoise.cfm

>

> Radiator covers: I used to be

> of the school that said that covers cut down on

> output. That is somewhat true. But I was

> surprised to find that covers can _i_ enhance

> _/i_ radiator output. All that and shelf

> space...cool.

>

> See

> this:

>

> http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm

> ?Id=77

>

> This will save you untold hours of

> arguing with Martha Stewart on decor.

>

> If you

> do go that route, the "boyfriend with the power

> washer" works fine -until your husband finds out.

> Paint will peel itself if that happens.

>

> For

> the sunroom radiator, the pitch back to the valve

> should be not less than 1/8" per foot. Use a

> level, not your eye. Houses can be notoriously

> out of plumb.

SynrG

We'll get a pro out if we have to. But I know there are plenty of things (flushing, checking for level, etc.) that we can do ourselves. Both of us are pretty handy and have handy friends. Besides, by doing the "easy" or "less skilled" stuff ourselves, we'll learn more and I'll feel more comfortable trying to select a pro.

And we don't have to get the boiler running; it's running fine (if a warm house is any indication). Aggravation also isn't much of a factor -- I can out-stubborn just about anything. I'm not the type to just wade in without doing some research first, but I'm also not easily intimidated.

I'm not adverse to seeking professional help, but (to me anyway) doing so prior to taking care of the "little stuff" is like signing a blank check.

SynrG

SynrG

Hey, I'll take commendations whenever and wherever I can get them!! ;-)

I've read through both your links a couple of times before (been browsing the site for a few weeks) and have Dan's book on my Christmas list. There is no such thing as too much reading material.

My guess, given the fact that the vents have improved (gotten quieter) over time, is that the system is dirty. I'm just not looking forward to hauling buckets of water up the basement stairs in order to empty them. (Not only do the buckets get heavy, but it's always fun to hold the bucket, open the basement door, exit the doorway, and close the door -- all without either letting the "interested" cat get into the basement again or spilling water onto the hardwood floors. Of course, after the cat's last two-day excursion into the basement -- hey, have you seen Lucille lately?? -- we never saw another mouse.)

And I'm not worried about Martha Stewart. She'd probably run screaming at the sight of the seemingly spontaneously generating dust kittens, and random piles of motorcycle gear and muddy barn clothing.

> If you

> do go that route, the "boyfriend with the power

> washer" works fine -until your husband finds out.

> Paint will peel itself if that happens.


Hey if this works better are there any spare husbands running around? Even an ersatz spare would work if it's an easier way to peel the paint!

> For

> the sunroom radiator, the pitch back to the valve

> should be not less than 1/8" per foot. Use a

> level, not your eye. Houses can be notoriously

> out of plumb.


Thanks for the info. I'd planned on using a level since I just assume that old houses are neither plumb nor square.

Oh, I'll try to get some pictures posted of the system. Any specifics? Particular reference points? I can get it from pretty much any angle and my digital camera takes surprising good photos in low light areas.

I think this may be the original boiler, or at least the original plumbing (most of it anyway). While some of the copper line was replumbed at some point, the steam pipes are asbestos-insulated.

SynrG

Unknown

we can start

We can start anywhere.. But where can we stop? Where are you located? Any boiler pixs for us wallies soon?