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need help with steam system excessive makeup water

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J_C
J_C Member Posts: 3
in Strictly Steam

2 story120 yr old steam system 30 yr old burnham in6 constantly having low water cutout engage and automatic water filling 5x per heating cycle started this season. 2nd floor very long to heat.

replaced 2 radiator valves first floor one was spitting alot the other slightly.

Above ground returns no visible leaks or steam from mains , returns or vertical piping. Still a mystery to where this water is going.

Located NY long island

Any ideas to help solve or correct appreciated?

Thanks

Comments

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,329

    is it going and staying gone, or is it returning after the call for heat ends?

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    mattmia2
  • Captain Who
    Captain Who Member Posts: 543

    Automatic feeder is being engaged 5x per heating cycle? Do you mean 5x per heating season? I mean, to me the term heating cycle means from the thermostat getting call for heat to the next call for heat.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,951

    is the boiler overfilled after the cycle is over or is it going somewhere? is the feeder actually feeding?

  • Pumpguy
    Pumpguy Member Posts: 793

    Can you provide more details and pictures of boiler and near boiler piping?

    Is this a one pipe or 2 pipe system? Can you see water on boiler room floor or white vapor from chimney?

    Dennis Pataki. Former Service Manager and Heating Pump Product Manager for Nash Engineering Company. Phone: 1-888 853 9963
    Website: www.nashjenningspumps.com

    The first step in solving any problem is TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,850

    A Burnham boiler losing water?

    Its probably a bad boiler. Let the system cool and overfill the boiler until the supply pipe gets cold then shut the water off and look for leaks around the boiler. Don't forget to drain down to normal before re starting.

    ethicalpaul
  • martin ce jarrell
    martin ce jarrell Member Posts: 7
    edited January 24

    Water level in sight glass bouncing? (Priming) Water chemistry is off or it not being blowing down enough. Boiler flushed out at being of season? Any new piping? Try a product Squick pick up a couple of cans. It a powder. Mix it in 5 gallon bucket and pump it in. Have surface blowdown? Try that also.

    mattmia2
  • 4GenPlumber
    4GenPlumber Member Posts: 7

    5 times per cycle sounds like its blowing up the chimney bc its a leaker, or there is a riser broken in a wall that hasn't made itself apparent yet. 130 yr old house has Ballon framing, so if its a broken riser, go to the attic. If boiler is a leaker, overfill and fire to test.

  • J_C
    J_C Member Posts: 3

    Thanks for all replies

    Update realized its the boiler after filling it with water and leaked so took covers off it and it was hole in side of center boiler section corroded about 2+" round hole. Temporary patched the hole with jb weld and piece of steel and some nipples wedged to hold. Hopefully can get through heating season thinking convert over to hw system after season.

  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 895

    120yr old. Are your radiators hot water compatible?

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,979

    Why would you even consider converting to hot water? Just because the steam boiler has a leak?

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    mattmia2
  • J_C
    J_C Member Posts: 3
    IMG_0651.jpeg

    IMG_0653.jpeg IMG_0654.jpeg

    Hopefully it holds

    Thanks again everyone

    mattmia2
  • Captain Who
    Captain Who Member Posts: 543

    Quite a test for the ol' JB. Keep us posted.

  • pedmec
    pedmec Member Posts: 1,272

    The minute you said IN5 you know it's a hole heat the HX.

    mattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,951

    replacing it with virtually any other series of steam boiler installed properly won't have that problem and will cost far less than retrofitting to some other system

    bburd

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