Pressure showing and radiator leaking in cold steam system
#1
07-18-19, 02:44 PM
Pressure showing and radiator leaking in cold steam system
I just noticed a dripping from the air vent on one of our one-pipe steam radiators. I checked the boiler, which has not run in about 6 weeks and it was showing 1.5 psi pressure. I let out water until it dropped to no pressure. Is there water in the pipe system? Why would this be? The glass water gauge appears to be full -- but we have trouble with it clogging...just replaced it this year...I cannot find any water entering the system. Boiler emergency steam release valve has not deployed....any ideas?
Update: let more water out and now showing in glass tube. There was a tremendous amount of extra water in this system. Autofill is disabled. When we filled this winter, it was showing at proper level. Late in winter, we noticed pressure was building to a 3 or 4. It has always run 1.5 or 2, so we shut it down to replace this summer with a new one (did not want to pour more money into this one)...can someone connect these dots for me? Thank you for any help!
Update: let more water out and now showing in glass tube. There was a tremendous amount of extra water in this system. Autofill is disabled. When we filled this winter, it was showing at proper level. Late in winter, we noticed pressure was building to a 3 or 4. It has always run 1.5 or 2, so we shut it down to replace this summer with a new one (did not want to pour more money into this one)...can someone connect these dots for me? Thank you for any help!
Last edited by rclark7; 07-18-19 at 03:48 PM. Reason: updates
#3
07-18-19, 08:04 PM
Super Moderator
6 ft of static hydraulic head above the gage would give 3 psi.
Not enough info but,
OP how is the hot water heater in the home? tankless coil in the boiler? Or seperate heater?
Auto fill is disabled? How so? There should be a valve to shut the water completely off..
If often a condensate return issue and auto fill problem..Auto fills even disabled can bleed through when faulty
Explain more and pics help...
#5
07-20-19, 09:15 AM
RC,
First off that is a steam pressure gauge you have and not water so the water content in the boiler should not effect the gauge reading. With the boiler off it should be 0 no matter how much water is in the system. If your system is over filling you have a cold water valve leaking by somewhere, either your manual fill valve or your auto feed valve.
A good place to start is by answering larosa's questions and posting some picks if possible. If you are not using your boiler for domestic hot water, disconnect it from cold water feed sources if you have unions and drain to proper level, about 1/2 the sight glass for now and let it stand and see what happens.
Hope this helps a little.
First off that is a steam pressure gauge you have and not water so the water content in the boiler should not effect the gauge reading. With the boiler off it should be 0 no matter how much water is in the system. If your system is over filling you have a cold water valve leaking by somewhere, either your manual fill valve or your auto feed valve.
A good place to start is by answering larosa's questions and posting some picks if possible. If you are not using your boiler for domestic hot water, disconnect it from cold water feed sources if you have unions and drain to proper level, about 1/2 the sight glass for now and let it stand and see what happens.
Hope this helps a little.
#6
07-20-19, 08:08 PM
The gage will show water pressure if the boiler is overfilled into the system. Every 2.33 ft feet the water is above the gage you will see 1 psi. if the water is 16 feet above the gage you should read about 7 PSI. The gage reads water or steam pressure. Pressure is pressure.
