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Banging in system

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pryan
pryan Member Posts: 2
in Strictly Steam
I have a stream system that was submerged during sandy. The boiler and some piping was replaced then. It took me probably 2-3 heating seasons to get it re-balanced and operating at peak. I had No problems until 3 years ago, when fema replaced the main trunk due to pitting from being submerged in salt water. Since then, when the system is running there is a loud banging coming from the basement pipes and an odd, sudden suctioning of water from the boiler. I have watched the site glass and seen the water level drop from 3/4 filled to where the low water cut off kicks in and shuts down the system. Then few moments after the system shuts down, the water refills in  the site glass. You can sometimes hear a "whooshing" sound, as if the water is returning to the system after shutdown. I ve call a few stream "Specialists" and no one is able to fix/explain what is the problem. Especially with the suctioning effect. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks 

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,284
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    FEMA replaced the main? And probably hired the three stooges on a low bid to do the job. You need a good steam pro. in there to replace it properly, most likely.

    In the meantime, can you post some pictures of the boiler and the piping around it, and the main, so we can sort of see what we're dealing with?
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,061
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    Pictures would help. All piping and boiler, floor to ceiling, several angles.
    Everyone likes pictures.
    ethicalpaul
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,702
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    I thought he meant that Fema replaced some power or gas infrastructure nearby. What is the "main trunk"?
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
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    If someone told me I had to repipe a system to act like this, I wouldn't even know where to start, yet someone having the necessary credentials to do work for FEMA comes along and does it unintentionally? Simply amazing.

    How hard is it to replace existing piping without screwing it up?
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,520
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    @pryan

    Where are you located? Contact @JohnNY you can PM him
    JohnNY
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,230
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    ethicalpaul said:

    What is the "main trunk"?

    I'm guessing the steam main running through the basement.

    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
    JUGHNE
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,061
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    Waiting on pictures.
    Any bets on copper being the new piping?
    JohnNY

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