One pipe steam dry return blockage

ArtM1 · April 14

How can I clear the partial blockage in my return ? A past repair was made by connecting a by-pass 3/4 " pipe at the furthest point in the loop (by means of a clamped saddle over a drilled hole in the return) and running it back to the main loop pipe at the boiler. This 3/4" alternate return pipe has "gone cold" , and so the need for a clearing of the original return or replacement of either the original or alternate returns. I would really appreciate your sage advise on this one ! Thanks, Art

mattmia2 · April 14

Usually the only parts that will really clog are the wet returns. Whatever is in a main extension can usually be flushed out with a hose if some sort of debris gets in there.

Both of those conditions are pretty rare, usually it is an issue with sagging pipe and water trapped somewhere because of the sag or a problem with venting.

ArtM1 · April 14

Thanks alot for your quick reply! There was a significant blockage in the lowest wet part of the return at the base of the boiler that got repiped. But the water level in the boiler at the sight glass seems to be slow to recover , particularly when the boiler is firing alot during really cold spells.

ethicalpaul · April 14

Tell us more about the water level.

Where does it start?

How quickly does it drop during a call for heat?

How much does it drop?

How long in minutes after the call for heat ends does the level return?

mattmia2 · April 14

Water leaving the boiler while firing is usually liquid water being thrown out of the boiler because of improper near boiler piping or poor water quality.

Mad Dog_2 · April 15

That stoppage was below the water line, so that is not considered a dry return. I've never seen a stoppage in a dry return. Mad Dog

Mad Dog_2 · April 15

Can you post pictures please? Mad Dog

ArtM1 · April 16

The last pic shows the pipes near the floor that were replaced.

Mad Dog_2 · April 16

From what I can see, the boiler has no drains. It probably has one on the hidden side, but that's going to do little to clear the belly of the boiler and that return piping. Mad Dog

Long Beach Ed · April 17

I can't figure this out, but you have a union on the bottom pipe that you can open and shove a snake through it if you really believe something is clogged.

If you have steel pipe that big that is clogging, you should really replace it and straighten out this mess. But I don't see how that would clog.

ArtM1 · April 17

Hi Ed,

The union and that bottom piping has all been replaced and yes , there was significant blockage there but it hasn't taken care of the whole problem.

ethicalpaul · April 17

it would have to be like 90%+ blocked to have been involved at all. There are several issues that people tend to blame on blockages where the actual cause is elsewhere.

And it’s understandable to want to blame a blockage for these things—it seems obvious! Until you replace the pipes and the problem remains

Big Ed_4 · April 18

My Bet would be that 6" galvanize nipple on the return, is rotted out in the inside .. If the condensate is backing up …

Hope this helps……

One pipe steam dry return blockage

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