Water in pipes, pressure to high?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Water in pipes, pressure to high? So much I don’t know
hi,
so ive got a couple things going on with my boiler. I’m mechanically inclined but have zero experience with boilers and am totally willing to just pay a professional. At a minimum I’d like to have some idea of what is happening.
So the system turns turns on with a bit of a whoosh
sound... it isn’t crazy but you can hear it. Next is this squeaking/rubbing sound (maybe pipes on a stud or expansion) followed by a sound that I originally thought was dripping but could also be described as ticking. This is the sound that peaked my interest straight away. Not a tick from expansion or contracting like I have heard out of a baseboard system before. This is definitely closer to a drip but is so uniform and consistent that I just don’t think it is... also no water stains to show for it. So this sound had me paying closer attention to the system and I started noticing that there was serious water running through the pipes. Almost as if a faucet has been turned on.
As im writing this I feel as though the high pressure could be to blame, maybe the water is meeting an elbow with pressure causing the weird sound followed by rushing water into the baseboards.
And to continue on the baseboard system is close looped I believe as I haven’t found any bleeder valves and there are no radiators.
So all all of this and I have some pictures of the system as well.
this is a link to a shared album in google https://photos.app.goo.gl/LiPqXfwWKN6pyO9l1
as a side note the last picture is of an area next to the boiler that almost looks like it was burned. I’m wondering if that valve there is a steam blow off or something and if that’s safe like that
so ive got a couple things going on with my boiler. I’m mechanically inclined but have zero experience with boilers and am totally willing to just pay a professional. At a minimum I’d like to have some idea of what is happening.
So the system turns turns on with a bit of a whoosh
sound... it isn’t crazy but you can hear it. Next is this squeaking/rubbing sound (maybe pipes on a stud or expansion) followed by a sound that I originally thought was dripping but could also be described as ticking. This is the sound that peaked my interest straight away. Not a tick from expansion or contracting like I have heard out of a baseboard system before. This is definitely closer to a drip but is so uniform and consistent that I just don’t think it is... also no water stains to show for it. So this sound had me paying closer attention to the system and I started noticing that there was serious water running through the pipes. Almost as if a faucet has been turned on.
As im writing this I feel as though the high pressure could be to blame, maybe the water is meeting an elbow with pressure causing the weird sound followed by rushing water into the baseboards.
And to continue on the baseboard system is close looped I believe as I haven’t found any bleeder valves and there are no radiators.
So all all of this and I have some pictures of the system as well.
this is a link to a shared album in google https://photos.app.goo.gl/LiPqXfwWKN6pyO9l1
as a side note the last picture is of an area next to the boiler that almost looks like it was burned. I’m wondering if that valve there is a steam blow off or something and if that’s safe like that
#2
Welcome to the forums.
It looks like you didn't finish your opening post. You can click on Edit and add to it.
There is a pressure gauge on your boiler. What does it read ?
What is the problem ?
No heat.... boiler won't fire ?
Boiler fires but no circulation ?
The best help you can give us is to take a few well lit pictures of your boiler..... the controls.... the piping... etc. How-to--insert-pictures
It looks like you didn't finish your opening post. You can click on Edit and add to it.
There is a pressure gauge on your boiler. What does it read ?
What is the problem ?
No heat.... boiler won't fire ?
Boiler fires but no circulation ?
The best help you can give us is to take a few well lit pictures of your boiler..... the controls.... the piping... etc. How-to--insert-pictures
#4
Ok.... pictures are very helpful.
So the system is heating the home ok but it's noisy...... correct ?
Your boiler pressure is at 30psi. Most relief valves are rated for 30psi and at that point or just above it.... they start letting off pressure. The device in the picture below is the relief valve. Check and see if any water is trickling out of the end. There is also a tag on the handle with its operating pressure. Your boiler is rated to 50psi.
Your system sounds like it has air in it. That's what you usually hear running thru the pipes. The air gives the water a gurgling sound. That round gray tank is the pressure tank and may need to be checked for operating pressure. What would be handy to know is what the boiler pressure is when the boiler is cold. I realize with the cold weather that could be tricky to check.
So the system is heating the home ok but it's noisy...... correct ?
Your boiler pressure is at 30psi. Most relief valves are rated for 30psi and at that point or just above it.... they start letting off pressure. The device in the picture below is the relief valve. Check and see if any water is trickling out of the end. There is also a tag on the handle with its operating pressure. Your boiler is rated to 50psi.
Your system sounds like it has air in it. That's what you usually hear running thru the pipes. The air gives the water a gurgling sound. That round gray tank is the pressure tank and may need to be checked for operating pressure. What would be handy to know is what the boiler pressure is when the boiler is cold. I realize with the cold weather that could be tricky to check.
#5
Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: U.S. Midwest
Posts: 1,173
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
According to your boiler gauge, if it is correct, the temperature is 210 deg and the pressure is 29 psi. Both are abnormally high. The "whoosh" you hear when the burner lights is a separate issue altogether, and may be normal. I recommend that you call in a professional experienced in hot-water heating, whose references you have checked, to give your whole system a good going over.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Can’t take it anymore
i had someone come out and they said they bled the air from the system. They seemingly fixed the whoosh sound. However the water running through the pipes issue only stopped for about two days. It also seems as if it’s getting worse now.
Really need some help identifying possible causes so I don’t keep getting woken up at all hours of the night.
There is a loud running flow of water in basically all the rooms. I live in a split level house. It seems constant as it has been going on (sometimes quieter and sometimes louder) for the last hour.
It also seems to be getting less efficient or having more variation of temp. It has been extremely cold and that may be the reason for that issue. But I’m mostly just trying to fix this noise issue and whatever issue is causing it.
Could it be that the boiler is going bad?
Im already thinking I’m going to install hot air and central ac this year - partly because I never want to deal with this again.
Really need some help identifying possible causes so I don’t keep getting woken up at all hours of the night.
There is a loud running flow of water in basically all the rooms. I live in a split level house. It seems constant as it has been going on (sometimes quieter and sometimes louder) for the last hour.
It also seems to be getting less efficient or having more variation of temp. It has been extremely cold and that may be the reason for that issue. But I’m mostly just trying to fix this noise issue and whatever issue is causing it.
Could it be that the boiler is going bad?
Im already thinking I’m going to install hot air and central ac this year - partly because I never want to deal with this again.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Also
this morning my heat stopped working and the water sound woke me up. The gauge was reading 10 psi and 100 degrees - water was just constantly cycling - I reset the boiler and it kicked on thankfully. The pressure is rising (about 25 now) and the heat is as well.
However, this water sound is still constant.
However, this water sound is still constant.
#8
What type of heating units do you have, radiators or baseboard units.(add picture) What type and size of circulating pump is installed. If the heating system was recently drained, you may have to vent the air out several times over the course of the winter to get all the air out.the system. Some of the air is released when the water is heated and some is just there any time water is added to the system. You should also check the integrity of the expansion tank. There is an air fill valve on the bottom of the tank. Depress the stem (same as a car tire) to see if air or water comes out. If only air comes out the tank is OK. According to your last post you may have to recharge the expansion tank and/or replace the auto-fill PRV. What is the BTU input and/or the output of your boiler?
Last edited by Steamboy; 01-02-18 at 04:14 AM. Reason: more info
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Pictures
i have a link to a bunch of pictures in the first post of this thread.
Now my unit it is turning off - I reset it, then when it tries to fire back up it won’t turn on. I called the same place back and even though I’m a “club member” with them and have a one year old In a house with out heat the earlier they can do is tomorrow. So I’m just sitting next to the boiler resetting it every time I hear it start trying to kick on.....
Now my unit it is turning off - I reset it, then when it tries to fire back up it won’t turn on. I called the same place back and even though I’m a “club member” with them and have a one year old In a house with out heat the earlier they can do is tomorrow. So I’m just sitting next to the boiler resetting it every time I hear it start trying to kick on.....
#10
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
Posts: 16,321
Received 38 Upvotes
on
30 Posts
What exactly are you "resetting" to get the boiler to fire again? What is the pressure in the boiler when you "reset" whatever you reset? Look at the tag on the safety valve and tell me what the set pressure rating is. Do you have any idea of what the previous "technician" did?
#11
I WOULD SAY FROM THE PICS YOUR AIR ELIMINATOR IS SHOT AND NEEDS TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED..(oops caps on)
Also at 30 psi I would also say your expansion tank needs servicing
As far as why the burner is not fireing possibly therte is no 24volt.. A multimeter is needed for testing... Could just be the ignighter... But I have not looked up the model as I dont have time right now...
Also at 30 psi I would also say your expansion tank needs servicing
As far as why the burner is not fireing possibly therte is no 24volt.. A multimeter is needed for testing... Could just be the ignighter... But I have not looked up the model as I dont have time right now...
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Hopefully I’m not about to blow myself up or anything but I’m flipping the switch on the side off and waiting a few min then turning it back on - that’s all that has got it back on for me to this point. I know I’m having an issue cause if I crank the heat way up it won’t turn on... so then I “reset” it I guess I’m not entirely sure what I am accomplishing with that but it fires back up.
im under the impression the previous guy bled the air out of the system. That’s really it.
He did turn the water temp down and I turned it back up... it was at 220 he put it to 180 and I just set it to 200...
it did manage to cycle once (get to the heat on thermostat - shut off and come back on) so I thought maybe it was better. But it has turned off twice since then and not come back on.
im under the impression the previous guy bled the air out of the system. That’s really it.
He did turn the water temp down and I turned it back up... it was at 220 he put it to 180 and I just set it to 200...
it did manage to cycle once (get to the heat on thermostat - shut off and come back on) so I thought maybe it was better. But it has turned off twice since then and not come back on.
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Also - after flipping the switch the pressure will get to about 30 psi but doesn’t seem to be getting to temp (200)... I’m not seeing any tag that speaks to that rating other than the one reposted below
#14
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
Posts: 16,321
Received 38 Upvotes
on
30 Posts
In post number 4 there is a picture of the safety valve. There should be a tag on this valve stating the set pressure. That is what I want to know. Also, look below the discharge pipe from the safety valve and see if the ground is the least bit wet which would indicate the safety valve has been discharging.
At this point I am leaning in the same direction as Mike (Lawrosa) that your expansion tank has lost its air charge or is defective and also that the Spirovent is plugged up and not releasing the air.
As for "resetting", your boiler is going into a "soft lockout". You may be able to "reset" it by simply turning the room thermostat down all the way , waiting a minute and then raising it back to the desired room temperature. This does NOT cure the problem and at this point I can't even begin to diagnose WHY it is locking out. It could be that unit has a high temperature lockout control and turning the aquastat control back to 180 (which should be fine) will cure that problem. Or, it could be a gas burner safety, or maybe a pressure control.
At this point I am leaning in the same direction as Mike (Lawrosa) that your expansion tank has lost its air charge or is defective and also that the Spirovent is plugged up and not releasing the air.
As for "resetting", your boiler is going into a "soft lockout". You may be able to "reset" it by simply turning the room thermostat down all the way , waiting a minute and then raising it back to the desired room temperature. This does NOT cure the problem and at this point I can't even begin to diagnose WHY it is locking out. It could be that unit has a high temperature lockout control and turning the aquastat control back to 180 (which should be fine) will cure that problem. Or, it could be a gas burner safety, or maybe a pressure control.