Steam Boiler keeps overfilling

lhamwey · January 6

We have a steam heating system in our home with radiators throughout the house. When we turned it on this winter everything was normal, then after a few days we got really bad water hammering. To the point where it was shaking the walls and so loud we could not sleep. We called out a plumber who said that our boiler (Burnham Independence) was overflowing and there was just too much-standing water in the pipes. He showed me what level the water should be should be in the sight glass and told me to drain it it out to that point. I did and it worked for a few days before I noticed once again the boiler was overfilling again and the water hammering returned.

I drained the whole thing and let the Programmable water feeder fill up the boiler to the proper level. I also noted the reading on how many gallons it filled so I can see if that was where the water was coming from. A few days go buy and once again it is overfilled. I checked the water feeder reading and it was the exact same as when I last filled it, so I assume the additional water is not coming through there.

My question is, where could the water be coming from and is there is a troubleshoot/solve this I could try on my own before calling out another plumber? Right now when it gets bad every few days I just drain it some, but that seems like a inefficient band-aid rather than a solution.

109A_5 · January 6

Hello lhamwey,

Assuming you have a VXT auto water feeder, it is just a timer (when it is actually active) with the water going through a calibrated orifice, it does not measure water flow like a utility type meter does. So the feeder's valve could be leaking with no record of the added water or a bypass valve could be leaking too. Is there a valve that shuts off the water to the whole system, if so I'd try that to see if it stops overfilling the system. If so keep an eye on the level so it does not get too low until it gets repaired correctly. Do you have a DHW coil ? If so that could be leaking into the boiler. Pictures of your system help us help you.

EBEBRATT-Ed · January 6

Either the manual feed valve or the auto feeder is leaking by. You probably don't have a tankless heater on that boiler

tcassano87 · January 6

i assume you don't, but I do you have an indirect HW tank off the bottom of your boiler? The relief valve would most likely be blowing off as well but if you it's possible the coil is cracked inside the indirect tank. Otherwise it's like others said, your automatic feed is no good, the bypass valve is passing or, a long shot you're low water cutoff isn't telling the feeder that its filled and turning it off

Silkey · March 26

If the manual water shutoff is a quarter turn valve, I guessing its most likely fine.....???

Is there maintenance I can do on the Autofiller to stop the leak? (Change a washer or similar).

Will add photos and brand of both later today. Same system I posted about years ago, not has overfilled 3 times.

mattmia2 · March 26

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1832332#Comment_1832332

well let's ask instead of assuming…

Does the boiler make domestic hot water, either through a tankless or an indirect water heater or some other scheme?

Silkey · March 26

No.

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/155727/should-new-traps-get-new-cage-units#latest

Long Beach Ed · March 26

The VXT feeders have an electric fill valve that should be serviced regularly. There is a strainer on them and a valve rebuild kit available. Any feeder should be installed with unions that can be opened to easily determine if it is passing water inappropriately. It is made for simple repair by a qualified individual.

The bypass valve should also be installed with unions to check that it is not passing water when closed.

One of those valves is leaking water when it is closed.

pecmsg · March 26

if the plumber couldn’t figure out where the excessive water came from DONT let him back.
find someone that knows Steam!

delcrossv · March 26

Water doesn't come from nowhere.

So it's:

1.Autofeeder leaking

2.Bypass valve leaking

3.Slow returns make autofeeder overfill boiler.

No change in reading, so it's either 1 or 2.

Steamhead · March 27

@Silkey , where are you located? We might know someone who can help.

Silkey · March 28

Just cleaned the Wye filter in the Autofiller, hit the manual feed button a few times, and opened and closed the manual ball valve a few times. Hopefully this cleared any debris.

Opened the Union after the Autofeeder and that seems to be the source. The manual shutoff doesn't have any unions.

Does the whole unit need to be replaced? First glance is $300.

Steamhead · March 28

The valve assembly on that feeder can be rebuilt. If you tell us where you're located, we might know someone who can do this.

Silkey · March 28

Kenmore, NY 14217.

I'll ask the the plumbing supply store for the correct rebuild supplies.

Thanks!

Intplm. · March 28

Im not sure but does that unit have a 'Dwell time" selector on it? Doesn't it have some dip switches that could be selected and possibly correct what's happening?

Steamhead · March 28

Kenmore is just north of Buffalo- who's out there?

Long Beach Ed · March 28

If the valve isn't closing tight, a rebuild kit should solve your problem.

mattmia2 · March 28

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1850216#Comment_1850216

Looks like a slide switch but if it isn't calling in the first place that won't help.

Steam Boiler keeps overfilling

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