Heating Help

@ March 12, 2009 10:39 PM in RUMBLING PEERLESS 63-03 STEAM BOILER

Some plumbers do know how to do steam. Some also can run a threader too. I have seen several professional Heat guys who can not install a boiler whether it is steam or hot water.

@ March 12, 2009 7:36 PM in RUMBLING PEERLESS 63-03 STEAM BOILER

Clammy to be honest I am amazed at what jobs like these actually get paid. I often lose bids on steam replacements and other boiler replacements too. The thing is I say to the customer "what are they giving you for your dollar?". Often it is a difference of 20% or less between a hack job and a proper one. I must admit I have been triple the low bidder before too but we all have those stories.

@ March 12, 2009 3:13 PM in RUMBLING PEERLESS 63-03 STEAM BOILER

Peerless boiler not to blame. The damper recall is an issue but at least they are covering it. Near boiler piping should be at the very least Iron and as per the installation manual. Yes copper is a problem a search of this forum will bring up many threads that explain they why's and how comes no point in going back over that here.

@ March 12, 2009 3:00 PM in oil furnace

too many things can cause this to answer online. You should call a tech in to check it out. And is it a furnace for warm air or a water or steam boiler?

@ March 5, 2009 5:28 PM in BIG UGLY Western Mass Jerry Bash

I may beable to head east to see you guys but will not know until closer to the date. Yes I live even further west and still live in Mass.

@ March 5, 2009 5:22 PM in Is there a plumbinghelp.com? Old faucet questions.

These guys have some nice looking to code faucets that may work for you. I never seem to get a thanks for repairing old faucets like those as once I touch them people think they are good for ever, often so much of the workings are worn the new parts are short lived or some other part fails. LIke they leak from the fill because now the faucet shuts off so the gasket gets to dry out over night. http://www.signaturehardware.com/class1332

@ March 4, 2009 9:59 PM in mixing valve on a water heater?

Ted it may be for bacteria growth. What State are you in? In some states, not Mass yet, the water heater is to be above 140*F to curb bacteria growth and the water to the faucet is to be 120*F so you use a mixing valve. What type of water heater are we talking about, electric, gas, or indirect?

@ March 3, 2009 12:45 AM in Steam Furnace

Bruce how much water are you putting into your boiler? Is your sight glass working? Are you returns clogged?

@ March 2, 2009 5:25 PM in PLEASE READ THIS (Dan H.)

Dan thanks for the heads up and look forward to the new wall. I like the fact I learn something new here and have some of my old ideas tested or supported here. I think the wall lets us tradespeople who are doing things to the best of our knowledge the right way are not alone in the world. While we have our own methods the wall does acknowledge when right is right.

@ March 2, 2009 5:16 PM in brutal condensate from 90% furn

How about a nice sewage ejector barrel? I would say with the right set up yould have a nice clean system. I tend to use the drum trap set up with the marble chips. The new plastic grease traps may work also.

@ February 26, 2009 9:47 PM in Defective radiator

My money is on better convection on the taller unit. are you sure they are reaching the same temp? Hot can be 140*F or 220*F. Also the room for the larger unit may have a higher delta T from the rad than the room with the small unit. Do you have the EDR of each unit?

@ February 26, 2009 9:38 PM in Is it possible?

Dave a good lesson learned. Never believe what you are told. Say thanks for the info and test for yourself. Be polite and even if you test 1000 times and find them to be the same do not accept them the 1001 st time. This goes for the statement "Yes the electricity is turned off!!"

@ February 26, 2009 7:59 PM in code violations worth mentioning.

Rusty walker must have been hang out with his cousin johnny.

@ February 26, 2009 7:46 PM in Malleable Iron or Cast Iron Fittings for 15 PSI Steam Systems?

I find that the threads in the cast fittings are more uniform. I also Feel with out sciece to back this one I know that the malleble fittings spread over time and leak, especially when someone torques the heck out of them. The cast fittings are more likely made in the USA and the malleble are often imported. I try to only buy USA made fittings in malleble or cast iron if I can. I had a gas job , small house, ran gas lines from meter to opposite end and did the pressure test. Sure enough 3 90's right at the start had sand holes. they were import fittings and I was not aware they were as wholesaler had always told me before if they were import or domestic. could not see holes but at a whopping 2.5 psi it leaked. Was on a job yesterday wearing my plumber hat and asked what I thought of the boiler the owners cousin had installed. It was a beautiful blue boiler stacked on the indirect and it had over 10 leaks that had frozen shut in the past 5 years on the Maleble fittings. Nice work but bad fittings. I often think when folks say I never saw a problem it is because they have not been told of the leaks or people think a few leaks are normal and fail to complain about them.

@ February 25, 2009 8:01 PM in tankless coil repairs...

It may have brass nuts being a utic. this would be a good thing. I am not sure when they started using brass nuts again though. Good luck. a new unit would be money better spent, but budgets are tight. of course new on their dime is better than new on your dime too.

@ February 25, 2009 7:55 PM in what do you drive?

Got to save fuel. Also tired of pulling the big rigs out of the mud and ditches. Here are my work and play rides.

@ February 25, 2009 7:48 PM in tankless coil repairs...

Try PB blaster for frozen bolts. smells like bug killer but works very well. I shudder when I think of taking out tankless heaters as when I was 18 I had one that went very wrong. Came out smelling like roses in the "Sure Missus I can fix it for you, no problem half a day at the most"

@ February 24, 2009 4:50 PM in Expected Life of a Utica Starfire Steam Boiler (1962)

A 1962 Utica was made in, well, Utica, NY. What is the unit firing at for efficiency numbers and does it show its age with leaks and rust? Be careful as a new boiler put in wrong will be worse than the one you have now. Proceed with caution.

@ February 24, 2009 4:46 PM in Get ready for some new Wallies (Dan H.)

Step closer by now Dan should have several books on there. Great article Dan, much better image of the industry than a certain Ohio "plumber".

@ February 24, 2009 4:19 PM in How do you rate the PurePro Trio oil-fired boiler?

FW Webb has been around for over a hundred years. Any product they are willing to tie there name to can be trusted in my book. I think it was a record time in the slow department before system 200 showed up. For life of your boiler cast iron has the track record and the Baxi block is well tested and a well respected manufacturer of boilers from Europe. Edit sorry Biasi block not baxi. I always confuse them. Thanks for catching that guys.

@ February 23, 2009 8:11 PM in dan holohans primary secondary piping works very well

Is that pex oxygen barrier tubing?

@ February 23, 2009 7:13 PM in How do you rate the PurePro Trio oil-fired boiler?

I just installed one for a customer and I like the units. The blocks are used in other boilers and as a contractor I will be installing more of them. It is the rest of what he does that will be of issue not the boiler.