Oil/Steam Pressure Questions
A few questions regarding the pressure on an oil-fired boiler for a steam heat system in a single family house. As always, Master Plumber, input from you and others on this forum is very appreciated 1) Am I correct that the gauge reading “internal syphon” measures the pressure in the system? 2) What should be…
A few questions regarding the pressure on an oil-fired boiler for a steam heat system in a single family house.
As always, Master Plumber, input from you and others on this forum is very appreciated
1) Am I correct that the gauge reading “internal syphon” measures the pressure in the system?
2) What should be the correct range of pressure showing on this gauge
3) If the pressure rises above this range, what does that indicate?
4) Does a reading of 4-5 present a danger?
Thanks in advance for your replies
too high. would definitely have checked it out
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Modsquad, Eman1234, Thanks for this additional info.
clean out the syphon leading to the pressuretrol..it is probably full of rust…it should read zero when off and be set at around 1/2 lb
The gauge is probably bad. It should drop to 0 fairly quickly once the burner is off. Easily within a half hour, maybe in 10 minutes or less depending on size of the system, leaks, etc. Not a big deal to replace. Just go to a real plumbing supply, not just Home Depot or a hardware store.
The vibration? Maybe it’s a sympathetic vibration to the burner flame. No idea.
Modsquad, Cmu
Thanks for your replies.
I noted today that my gauge dropped no lower than 2 psi when the boiler has been off for several hours (as it has today). Might that indicate the gauge is miscalibrated on the high side? Or would a system maintain a pressure of 2 psi even when off for a day.
Separately, my attention was drawn to the pressure gauge because of some low frequency vibration that seemed to be coming from a wall through which one of the main steam pipes flow from the boiler to the front of the house.
The vibration stopped immediately when I used the thermostat to shut off the boiler.
Curiously, the steam pipe itself did not seem to be vibration or making any sort of noise.
Again, I welcome any further reaction or input on this situation.
However, a *reading* of 5psi may be on the high side. Steam systems can run at 1/2-2 psi if irc.
A low pressure steam system usually only reaches around 5 psi. You’re fine. Yes that’s the right gauge.