Pew… Why do my Steam Radiators Smell when they heat up?

[Charles Tillman]

I have a gas fired boiler operating a steam radiator system in my home. Whenever the thermostat calls for more heat, the steam kicks on and an odor emits from the radiators. I had the boiler cleaned with an anti-rust solution about two months ago. Could the chemicals in the solution be the source?

[Harold KestenholzParticipant]

Such chemicals arae not recommended by manufacturers for residential systems. Many systems without problems have lasted many decades without such treatment. It is a good plan to find out what exactly was put into the water. Amines will give a typical odor and can be irritants. Chromates can be toxic.

[Author]

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