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2 problems on a 1 pipe system

Problem 1: At the beginning of a cycle, a few minutes after boiler fires, I hear a rapid-fire banging in the pipes just above the boiler and the boiler turns off. This repeats two more times before the system fully pressurizes for a normal cycle. My thought is that the vent at the end of the closest main is not working (I haven’t heard it in a while and it seems to be stained from dirty water), and maybe this is causing the problem.


Problem 2: After a full cycle, as the system depressurizes, we get very loud banging in the riser/two radiators on one branch. Again my thought is a trapped air problem as I’ve been dealing with bad valves and stuck air-rid vents throughout the house.


Any advice is appreciated, or suggestions for a specialist in deep southern New Jersey!

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Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 25,996

    Some pictures are going to help. A few in the vicinity of the boiler — enough to give us an idea of how it is piped and any valves or vents in that area. And one or two of typical radiator and main vents.

    Can you determine which safety or control is turning the boiler off?

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • branesinSJ
    branesinSJ Member Posts: 5
    IMG_3906.jpeg IMG_3907.jpeg IMG_3909.jpeg IMG_3910.jpeg IMG_3908.jpeg IMG_3911.jpeg IMG_3912.jpeg

    Not sure which safety is turning off the boiler. Will see if I can determine on next cycle. Here are several pictures that I hope help. The only air vent I can find in the basement (pictured by the brick wall where the return drops to the floor) I am afraid is not working. The other end of the main has a key-type vent (pic#4) I would expect on a hot water system, so this confuses me.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,405

    Do any of your radiators have air vents on them ?

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • branesinSJ
    branesinSJ Member Posts: 5

    Most of them have ancient Air-Rid vents. Several of those no longer work and so far I’ve replaced two with angled steam vents from HD

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,405

    OK, I see it now.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,722

    Boiler header is piped all wrong.

    In NJ PM @clammy or @EzzyT

    mattmia2bburd
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,367

    @branesinSJ where in south nj are you located?

    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,633

    oh my

  • branesinSJ
    branesinSJ Member Posts: 5

    I’m in Woodstown

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,633

    Are these opposite sides of the same wall?

    well it won't let me paste pictures again, but is the vent in the middle of the wall and the coin key vent opposite sides of the same wall?

  • branesinSJ
    branesinSJ Member Posts: 5

    Those are at opposite ends of the basement on what seem like the end of the mains

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,633

    Where does this pipe that disappears through the wall go?

    image.png
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 25,996

    That's cute. What on earth do you suppose it was meant to do?

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    mattmia2delcrossv
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,633

    i suspect it connects to the end of the main on the other side of the wall and it is venting the main through the dry return/main extension (and ejecting any slug of water that happens to be in the return)

    branesinSJ
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,153
    edited February 9

    Hey man, gotta keep the back side of those water seals vented🙄 (sarcasm)

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,405

    The system has a few issues. It may need skimming too to improve the water quality.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    branesinSJ
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,768

    Can't go wrong either way.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    mattmia2
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,367

    @branesinSJ you can reach me at (201) 887-8856

    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    branesinSJ

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