Boiler Leak Test

DonS

I think I may have a leak in my steam boiler. It has an automatic water feed so I'm not sure. To test this I know I need to fill the boiler and see if it leaks onto the floor. But when should I do this? Does the system to be cold when I fill it? Does the system need to be running to test it?

DonS

Anyone?

Can anyone help with this? I'm hoping to test it tonight and I want to make sure I don't cause any damage. Any advice appreciated! Thanks

clammy

checking leaking boilers

Well here we go
1 while emergency switch is off ,fill the boiler up with water to just below the supply tappings.Remove the top of the jacket and usually the top of the boilers flue collector abd visually check for signs of the boiler leaking
2 the second theing to do is to check to see if you have buried return lines they could be the where the leak is located
3 shut off the main water feed valve and see how long the water line remains before shut the boiler off on low water(cycling your boiler regularly ) BIG NOTE before doing these please make sure your low water cut off is properly working
4 check your chimmey if the flue fuel pipe is whisle cleanand your chimmey is shooting a cloud of white smoke oyu boilker may have a section leak on the combustion side .Is this a oil fired system.
Depending upon your systems age and how well it's been maintaned over the years is a another thing .If all this seems to be confusing please use the find a pro listing on the left side of the web site these guys are all pro's when it comes to steam and you would be doing yourself a favor using one of them you will get the professinal attention your system needs and a knoweledgable tech who will properly dianose your system promlem .PS not a big fan of auto feeder they mask steam boiler s loss of water unless there's a seperate meter on the boilers feed and some one is keeping track of it .Peace and good luck clammy

DonS

Boston Pro?

Thanks and yes, this is confusing. I've tried the find a pro but I can't find anyone in the Boston area that will work with a gas conversion burner on an old boiler... Anyone out there in Boston willing to take a look at this thing? My gas usage is unbelievably high (.7 therms per degree day for a 5,000 sf house) but I have everything insulated and the system is extremely well vented, etc. so I'm figuring the issue is losing steam up the chimney but I don't see the white smoke. I'm at a loss...

clammy

How old

How old and what was it converted from oil or coal or all of the above .If it's real old it may be time to bite the bullet and replace her ,do yourself a favor then and find a true pro who guarentees his work and find out your total edr load you have and have a new heat loss done on your home including any improvements like windos ,doors attic and wall insulation that would lower your heat loss and possible lower the net output of a new boiler .Even though it sounds bad image all the coin you'll save witha newer more effecient boiler? And just remenber even though a new boiler isn't eye candy like a $100'000 kitchen it works year after yearafter year you don't even think about it 7/8 of the time to me it's a homes real investment not paver driveways and unrealistic kitchen that are never used .Sorry for the vent peace and good luck clammy

Biged

I'm in Boston call me 617-594-9438

DonS

Leak in glass

I filled the boiler and the only leak was at the top of the water gauge glass. I replace the glass, filled again, and no leak. Can a leak at the top of the glass be meaningful and now that I replaced it should I expect any improvements? Also, since there is no leak in the boiler itself how can I check for leaks in the underground returns?

DonS

Underground Leaks

Can anyone tell me how to check for leaks in the underground returns? Also, if they are leaking, what is the big deal other than using too much water?

ed wallace

leak testing

I am in Watertown and can help you on testing your boiler lookfor wet spots on the floor they are indicators of buried returns leaking

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