How can I increase the psi in my boiler?

Question

My boiler is reading 10 psi and my top radiators are not getting filled. The feeder valve's lever is no longer, it seems to have broken off. I bought the house this way a few years back and each year the same problem on the top floor. I want to know what I have to do in order to get heat to the top without having to call someone in all the time. Also, I've been told there is an expansion tank somewhere that should be drained. Could that be causing my low pressure? Is that a must, the previous owner drywalled it into the ceiling somewhere?

Thanks,

TheOnyxGuy

Thanks Cowboydoc, I will drain the tank, after I find it. I have a 3 story home and from my research, due to the height the pressure should be about 15psi. I've been bleeding the rads but nothing has been coming out on the top floor. But I'll try out your suggestions. Thanks a lot.

---Original Post---

My boiler is reading 10 psi and my top radiators are not getting filled. The feeder valve's lever is no longer, it seems to have broken off. I bought the house this way a few years back and each year the same problem on the top floor. I want to know what I have to do in order to get heat to the top without having to call someone in all the time. Also, I've been told there is an expansion tank somewhere that should be drained. Could that be causing my low pressure? Is that a must, the previous owner drywalled it into the ceiling somewhere?

Thanks,

TheOnyxGuy

Answer 1

Call a professional unless you want to blow up the neighborhood.

Answer 2

One thing at a time here: The expansion tank should be right next to the boiler. It's a small five gallon tank. There might be a Gage on it.
Ten pounds will get the water up stairs to the radiators, you have to let the water out through the butterfly valve on the radiators and wait for the air/steam, pressure to come before closing them, make sure the pump is running first. Go to each individual radiator and do this. What I did was then turned the water off to the radiators and turned the furnace off, blocking the radiators and turned the water off to the tank, there should be a valve there. Then opened the tank, a plug was under it, drained the tank, then put the plug back in. Turned the water back on. The water filled to about one half approx. then I opened the water back to the radiators, the tank maintained it's ratio and the radiators once heated were O.K. there former tenant said they suffered for years with cold radiators, how foolish. I flush them and release the water pressure every heating season. You must maintain your furnace all the time, not just when you want to use it.

Answer 3

We also have a big house with radiators. When we bought the house the expansion tank was hanging from the basement ceiling near the furnace and was about 12 inches in diameter and about 5 feet long. When it was installed it didn't have a vent on one end so it took for ever to drain.
Hook up a hose and drain it outside preferably out a window so you can watch it draining. It has since been replaced in our house.

If your system is a typical older one, it has one large dia. pipe going around the cellar (the loop) with smaller vertical pipes going up to the radiators. Each radiator has two pipes. The cellar loop has scoops that scoop the hot water as it goes around the cellar. The older systems don't have one loop on each floor with baseboard.

After the expansion tank is drained. Crank up the thermostat to 80 deg. so the furnace is blasting and drain the system starting with the radiator closest to the furnace working to the farthest.

Here's something to think about. The furnace has a feed with a check valve that doesn't let the water in the heating system accidentaly go back into the house drinking water. This valve is adjustable to increase the pressure. Get the make and model number off the valve and go to a plumbing supply to find out how to increase the pressure.

Answer 4

The water pressure in your boiler should be no higher than 20psi when it is hot. If it is less tan 12psi you need to add water to the expansion tank. If it goes above 20psi you have to drain some water.(The tank may have filled with water. Let it cool BEFORE you attemp to drain it) The tank should feel cooler at the top if it has not filled.) Do NOT tamper with the settings on the combination gauge (PSI/ Temperature) This (If necessary) should only be done by a qualified technician.

Answer 5

you must replace the relief valve