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Adding makeup water

Odawgp
anyone know what all is involved with the adding of makeup water into a residential sized boiler that is used for baseboard heating?

I have been burning wood so the boiler has been off most of the winter. I fired it up last night and noticed while it was heating the water i could hear the water flowing through the house. owners manual says that it needs make up water but doesn't say how to add it. just says call the repairman.

I this something i can do myself? or am I better off calling for the service?
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • codenamepaul
    There should be an expansion tank above the boiler (depending on size) it should be about the size of a basketball. This tank should have a make-up valve to it from you water service. It will have a small regulator looking thing (back flow preventer) This should make up automatically, but check to ensure it is lined up.
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  • He Dog
    Call the plumber and watch like an eagle. Ask questions. Or submit it to Ask This Old House and have Richard Trethewey come do it for you.
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  • HandLoad
    Sorry, I don't know your system. If it was mine, I would do it myself, having run steamships for over ten years. Is kinda like giving direction to someone on how to replace fuses in a High-Voltage application - is a simple job, if you already know how.

    Your water may have additives, or requirements for additives, pH, purity, etc.

    Can you find a header tank, and is it empty? Do you have a leak somewhere? Could be in boiler - probably should call for Professionals.
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  • slipgate
    We had to do this once in awhile when we lived in Europe. We had a faucet on the furnace that we hooked a hose to. Seems there was a pressure valve and we shut it off when it reached it. Then we started at the top floor (7 floor house) and bled the radiators one at a time. Usually took 3-4 hours to get everything balanced.
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  • dan55362
    I think you need to breed the air from your system. I have to bleed mine about every other year. When I have air in the system it sound like water running.
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  • Johnnylikesguns
    Spend a dollar maybe save your furnace.

    Watch close ask questions if you understand this kind of stuff.

    GoodLuck
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  • He Dog
    quote:I think you need to breed the air from your system.

    [:0]

    Wow! That is even kinkier than most of the stuff Big Tire posts. [:I]
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  • asop
    Call a Hydronics contractor, not just a plumber. A little more to it than just adding water. I believe they add glycol that lubricates the pump etc. Good luck
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