Maybe....
...someone got paid.
Or it could have been a slow evolution of DIY and spot fixes and additions.
We moved into our ca1929 home to find:
1) The prior two owners literally had zero clue about what type of system, no maintenance, or how to operate it other than "turn the thermostat on and it made heat". Although I too am only a DIY'er and homeowner(not a pro), my conversations with other consumers seem to find this more the norm than exception, which to be fair isn't really the fault of the consumer. So I bet a lot of systems do end up being neglected and allowed to be cobbled together just out of ignorance. This especially seems to be true in regions where hydronic systems are no longer the norm or as common and local expertise has dried up. This is the case where I live.
2) The boiler had been converted to gas in 1991, which that part they more-or-less did fine, but they also converted from an open overhead gravity to closed circ hot water, which they then just apparently decided to not install any air-vents *at all* and used a water-heater relief valve for the boiler.
3) The settings on the aquastat were maxed out, not surprisingly I'm sure because the system never would heat efficiently. And several radiator valves were broken/stuck closed. Again, no kidding their heating bill was astronomical.
4) The expansion tank was flooded. It had no automated charging system, and was obviously not regularly checked. Unsurprisingly we had several valve stem leaks through the house when previous owners heated. Gee I wonder why. It could have been worse though, as I'm sure there was copious air trapped in the system that helped buffer that a bit *laugh*
5) The pressure gauge was broken.
... there was more, but I just forget. I fixed all of the above immediately, but the system still needs a boiler repipe as they installed it "backwards" and have no pri/sec loop protection, etc. Curiously it had worked "fine" since around 1991 in that configuration, but it must have been expensive to run, and it of course was unsafe.
As funds permit, I plan to repipe the near boiler piping and add some better controls which will increase efficiency, plus insulate the pipes since those same owners of the past removed all the asbestos in the basement piping for aesthetics I assume(or perhaps health issues), but neglected to reinstall new fiberglass insulation.
I'm sure there are an almost unlimited potential for cleaning up old "messes" out there for the pros, as long as consumers are willing to listen and invest in the right solution. That latter part can be hard sometimes though, especially in these tough times.
Al
Just a DIY'er trying to learn, and improve and maintain his converted ca 1929 overhead gravity hot water system since there is no one local that can.
This post was edited by an admin on August 18, 2009 11:56 AM.
