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Check pH and additive

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John Boyer
John Boyer Member Posts: 84
in Strictly Steam

hi all,


my steam boiler water is looking pretty brown. Is the pH needing adjustment? If so,
-Is there a good way to accurately check pH that’s not crazy expensive? What pH is best?

-Do I check it at the lwco when it’s hot or at room temp?

- would you recommend any additives?


thanks!

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,172

    How often and how much water do you have to add?

    If your chasing leaks by adding water that is bad for the boiler.

    If not I would pick a warm day and drain and flush and drain and flush until it cleans up. Then refill and bring it to a boil.

    You can get PH strips at a drug store I think or on line.

    Others will comment on additive.

    nate379
  • HeatingHelp.com
    HeatingHelp.com Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 186
    edited November 15

    https://youtu.be/1wCVk0iGCPE?si=f97YSfTaY0jVN25U

    Forum Moderator

  • nate379
    nate379 Member Posts: 145
    edited November 15
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1872374#Comment_1872374

    I watched a video the other day that the boiler failed from a small steam leak upstairs in a radiator. The auto refill kept introducing new oxygen rich water into the system. Over time it corroded through and would blow clouds of steam out the chimney when it fired.

    The guy recommended not allowing the auto refill to work and instead checking on it every week or two as the leak would have been noticed in time to fix it otherwise. Just even walking by to grab the laundry or canned goods in the cellar "checking" on it.

  • John Boyer
    John Boyer Member Posts: 84

    While hot I open the lwco valve every week to clean it out and make sure it works. So I’m adding water every week. As I understand, you want to get that sediment out of the lwco or it can get gummed up and fail to work.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 3,259

    With the pH higher than normal water the rusting will probably be reduced and the LWCO draining intervals can probably be extended.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System

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