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Backflow or Check Valve on Supply

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markmarlatt
markmarlatt Member Posts: 28
in Strictly Steam

I’m wondering if I should add a backflow or check valve to the water supply for my steam boiler:

IMG_6452.jpeg

Currently the supply line does not look to have a backflow or check valve before the boiler. When the system is running I can hear what sounds like light hammering from the supply line. Thoughts?

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,884

    What is required depends on the code where you are located. Chek with your building official. It may be a double check valve, it may be a standard backflow preventer, it may be a reduced pressure zone backflow preventer.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    hot_rod
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,721

    A backflow preventer is required inmost areas I think. But with steam the valve is only open when you add water so backflow is unlikely.

  • leonz
    leonz Member Posts: 1,779

    Has the water feeder or boiler ever been cleaned since the boiler was installed?

    Your boiler water does not look good.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 26,719

    Some common sense is needed with backflow devices.

    ANY backflow device inside the building is to protect you and the occupants. The one on the main line protects all others on the water system.

    If there is no BFD on the main or in the water meter yoke, then the point of use BFDs in the building and on hose bibs protect you and others connected onto the water system

    If water lies stagnant in the piping to the boiler, you do not want that backflowing into the homes potable water supply? Ever? Under any condition?

    So regardless how you interpret the BFD code, the bottom line is adequate protection for the occupants.

    A dual check vented BFD is a very inexpensive protection valve for your potable water system.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • markmarlatt
    markmarlatt Member Posts: 28
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880236#Comment_1880236

    I empty the boiler monthly and refill and then skim. Water is clear for first 1-2 steam cycles then gets rust color to it. Doesn’t seem to effect efficiency that I’ve been tracking.

  • leonz
    leonz Member Posts: 1,779

    Your adding oxygen back into the boiler, that is not good. You should have the water feeder cleaned or replaced and stop draining the boiler. You need to add boiler treatment as a matter of necessity to protect the boiler.

  • markmarlatt
    markmarlatt Member Posts: 28
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880355#Comment_1880355

    I do not drain the boiler completely, just to the low water cutoff. I added boiler treatment as last year’s service in September.

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