Overfull Steam Boiler

[samsimcoe]

Hi,

We have a steam boiler which was installed 2 years ago. The sight glass is full of water, all the way up to the top.

Is this creating problems with my system. I know it's especially bad to have too little water in the boiler but I don't know about having too much. Thanks!

------------------------------------- Sam

[RBM]

[ransley]

Now you have more water to heat to steam, that means wasted energy. Way to much and I think water could enter the pipes and even make it difficult to heat from no air space. Lower it, is it an auto fill devise thats doing this. Depending on type just take it apart and clean it. On my 55 yr old kewanee the pipe to the sight glass was so corroded it would shoot up high but im sure yours unit isnt as old.

is where the steam pros are.

[RicodJour]

Yep, you have too much water in your boiler. Usually the water line is somewhere in the middle of the sight glass. The manufacturer's web site will have product specific information and will have the preferred water level height (dimensioned off of the floor) on that boiler's specifications page/diagram.

R

[avantiservices]

---------------------------------------------- BAAAAD yes BAAAAD. There are a couple of problems you may be experiencing.

1. The automatic fill valve may have failed and is flooding the system.
2. Fill valve is fine and someone just opened the manual fill valve.
3. The "Low Water Cut Off" may be telling the fill valve to fill. I don't know exactly how you are set up but I have seen all sorts of things done. TRY THIS... Make sure the manual fill valve is not opened. Open the blow down valve (drain valve at the bottom of the boiler) Watch the sight glass and when the water level falls to the correct level close the valve and watch the sight glass to see if it raises back up. If it does call for repair. If not then it was probably just over filled by someone. Listen... Now you make sure that you test that Low Water Cut Off. There should be a test button on it, when you press it the boiler should shut down and either there will be a reset button on it to press after the test. Also, make sure that the automatic fill valve is working by lowering the water level until it opens and make sure it shuts off. When you do this you will know if it is the culprit of your troubles! BE SAFE... if there are no operating procedures on the boiler then call a serviceman and request a written copy from him or just contact the mfg co and get it from them directly. This is all your liability. Take care.

------------------------------------- J.P. Avanti Services HVAC, Steam and closed loop Hydronic heating. In the service field for 25 years.