Steam Boiler Control & Gauge FAQs

Q&A on steam boiler troubleshooting

Steam Boiler Heat Control FAQs

We have trouble controlling the amount of steam heat - can I close off the radiator?

My building uses steam heaters. I have no control over the heat in my unit because the thermostat is controlled by my landlord/owner who lives above me.

However I have a small 1 bedroom with two heating units so even with all of the windows open, it can still get very hot.

Is it okay for me to completely close the "open/close" black knob valves on my units or will that cause problems for the whole system? My landlord had previously told me not to touch the valves... Emily 12/10/12

Reply: yes

Yes if the radiator control knob is not jammed or frozen you can try closing it partly or fully; radiator control knobs are intended to be a homeowner-resident-operator control. But if the knob is not easy to turn, don't force it as you might end up with a leak.

Steam Boiler Not Working FAQs

My steam boiler stopped working

Oil-fired steam boiler was functioning properly upto two weeks ago, now doesn't fully run to designated temperature on thermostat (digital).

It will stop a degree or 2 short of desired setting even though thermostat says boiler is running. Why? (Mar 23, 2013) home able

Reply:

Home able,

I'm not sure what's happening with your system. In general the gauges are not lab grade precise. It's possible that your gauge or its sensor port are debris clogged.

Try tapping gently on the gauge to see if the needle moves. Also watch the gauge to see its reading throughout the operating cycle.

My steam boiler quits after a few minutes and restarts later. What's wrong?

My steam by oil furnace [sic] runs for 3-5 minutes before shutting off, then restarts in about 10 minutes. Any help? On 2015-11-09 by Alan

Reply by (mod) -

Alan it sounds like time for a service call: the number of snafus that can cause the unit to shut down is a bit long to speculate upon with no more data about your system.

Or if you like, see the diagnostic flowchart at OIL BURNER WONT RUN as that's quite complete.

Steam Boiler Noise FAQs

We're bothered by banging pipes on or steam heat system

I live in a 16 unit apt complex. What make the heat clanging and banging? (Feb 15, 2015) Bevery Streeter

Reply:

See the banging pipe diagnostic and repair suggestions at BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS

What is the radiator banging noise repair procedure

I have a one pipe steam system. My dining room radiator air vent was just replaced because the old one was leaking profusely (damaged my floors)

The porch radiator air vent was also replaced because of too much steam condensation in the room, but now the open/close valve is leaking at the base. The radiator upstairs in middle bedroom is banging and clanking. The pipe that runs along the basement ceiling (finished basement) also bangs when the heat is coming on.

My plumber cannot really give me an answer. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks p Rita 11/21/12

and

i check all the valves, i made sure radiators are slope the proper way, i made sure there is water in the boiler , but i still get the banging. Do i need to drain the boiler. i think there is water in the lines but do not know how to drain it. Please explain if possible. On 2015-12-09 by carlos

Reply:

Everyone:

If you see

BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS - how to cure banging, clanging, hammering, pounding pipes or radiators or boilers

you can read about the diagnosis & cure of this problem

About the leaking valve - unfortunately that means you need another service call.

What's causing high pitched whirling noise from our steam boiler?

We hear a high pitched whirling noise which seems to come from the steam heat system.

We are hearing it more frequently and can't figure out what part of the system is causing it. On 2018-03-09 by Brenda

Reply by (mod) -

Brenda

I would be looking for hissing at a steam valve first.

A very high pitched noise might come from a motor bearing that's failing but on a steam boiler I'm not sure where such a motor would be in use

- perhaps a condensate pump or a hot water circulator if the system also uses its water for hot water or hydronic heating in a low building area.

See HEATING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS for a catalog of heating system noise sources, causes, cures

Steam Heat Piping FAQs

What is the steam pipe configuration at the boiler

what's the term they call the 2 steam pipes that form an H above a steam boiler. in other words the pipes from both sides of the burner connected together?THANKS,Walter - 9/25/11

Reply: steam pipe header

Walter: sorry we couldn't give an instant reply; sometimes the volume of reader questions is considerable and takes some time to get thorough.

I am guessing you are referring to the steam header or manifold piping that allows steam to enter more than one steam supply line or riser.

A second piping configuration that will be along side, not above, the boiler is the Hartford loop - a loop of piping sort of like an upside down trap that prevents water from siphoning out of the boiler should there be a leak in the condensate return line.

What's the purpose of the pipe connecting steam radiatiors in our building?

We have a one pipe steam boiler system in a 12 unit building.

The valve connecting the steam pipes to the radiators - is that part of the overall system?

Need to clarify further if the valve is only for the specific unit in which it is located, or if it helps to regulate the whole system including the units above or below? What is its exact purpose? Your help is required, please. My email is luvrozs@gmail.com. Thank you very much for your assistance On 2017-12-16 by Karen Rose

Reply by (mod) -

Karen,

In a one-pipe steam system the individual radiator valve only controls the entry of steam into that radiator (and the exit of condensate out of that radiator back into the one-pipe system).

The exact purpose of the valve at an individual radiator is to permit the occupants to turn the radiator down, reducing its rate of heating, or to turn it off completely.

Steam Boiler Water FAQs

My steam boiler seems to be taking more water than usual

I blow the system down regularly and then make up the water in the sight glass.

However I seem to be using significantly more water then years past whereas I'd top the sight glass every couple of weeks in the past compared to every other day now. What do you think the problem is? - Tom C 10.27.11

Reply:

Tom C: a common reason for increased water consumption in a steam heating system is one or more radiator steam vents that are not closing properly. Check also for a leak in the condensate return line.

Steam Boiler Parts FAQs

I need to prepare for a steam boiler license and want book recommendations

I’m happy to have found this website. I’m getting back into heating and cooling and need to prepare for higher license.

Question: Is there a DVD collection you recommended as an additional studying tool? I see that Harold J. Frost, Frederick M. Steingress, Daryl R. Walker’s collection is close to 600.00 which is very steep for my pocket. Would you happen to know of a website or cheap place I can buy such DVD or a CD? If not these guys than another author is ok. Thanks for the feedback. Kym 11/23/11

Reply:

Kym if you are looking specifically for information on steam heating I'd pick up any of Dan Holihan's books on steam heat. He's the best.

Steam boiler parts identification

Wow, what a great web site. I am trying to identify a vessel on the side of an old National steam boiler/furnace. It is about 12-18" tall, about 8" diameter and is attached to a manifold in the side that is about 12" off the floor. It is heavily rusted. The boiler is an old coal fired converted to oil. Can I send you photos? Thanks, Stephen strentsch@yahoo.com or strentsch 10/4/11

Reply:

sure Mr. Strentsch,

use the CONTACT link found at page top, left, or bottom to see our email and send along some sharp photos and we'll be glad to take a look

Should I change my boiler to a forced warm air furnace heating system - it keeps going off and pipes keep freezing

I have hot water baseboard system boiler in my crawlspace (.Basement)

I'm thinking about replacing the boiler with a horizontal warm air furnace adams furnace.

I keep getting freezeups and they are very difficult to repair. The furnace Adams make is supposed to be 95 percent efficient.

Plus the fact there are no pipes to freeze is the warm air furnace the way to go? Thanks paul (june 19, 2014)

Reply:

Paul,

You're commenting about hot water and hot air heat on a steam heat article - so this may be a bit confusing to other readers, but in general, conversion to another heating method is fine if you can bear the expense; each heating type has its pros and cons so IMO there is not a single "right" answer

Keep in mind that when you change from steam heat or hot water heat to forced warm air heat, your costs are much greater than just the heater itself as you have to install a heat delivery system : air ducts and registers. That can be convenient in some building designs and quite costly in others.