need help with steam system excessive makeup water

J_C · January 23

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

ethicalpaul · January 23

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

Captain Who · January 23

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 · January 23

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

Pumpguy · January 23

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?

EBEBRATT-Ed · January 23

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.

martin ce jarrell · 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.

4GenPlumber · January 24

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 · January 24

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 · January 24

120yr old. Are your radiators hot water compatible?

Jamie Hall · January 24

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

J_C · January 24

Hopefully it holds

Thanks again everyone

Captain Who · January 24

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

pedmec · January 24

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

mattmia2 · January 24

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

EBEBRATT-Ed · 2:22AM

Another Burnham bites the dust.

4GenPlumber · 2:38AM

Good Lord, dont change to hot water, just replace the boiler. It was a 30 yr old Burnham, it didnt owe you anything.

ethicalpaul · 4:02AM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1883945#Comment_1883945

Yeah but this one was 30 years old!

need help with steam system excessive makeup water

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