2 problems on a 1 pipe system

branesinSJ · February 9

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!

Jamie Hall · February 9

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?

branesinSJ · February 9

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 · February 9

Do any of your radiators have air vents on them ?

branesinSJ · February 9

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841504#Comment_1841504

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 · February 9

OK, I see it now.

EBEBRATT-Ed · February 9

Boiler header is piped all wrong.

In NJ PM @clammy or @EzzyT

EzzyT · February 9

@branesinSJ where in south nj are you located?

mattmia2 · February 9

oh my

branesinSJ · February 9

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841560#Comment_1841560

I’m in Woodstown

mattmia2 · February 9

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 · February 9

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841570#Comment_1841570

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

mattmia2 · February 9

Where does this pipe that disappears through the wall go?

Jamie Hall · February 9

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

mattmia2 · February 9

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841598#Comment_1841598

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)