Heating Help

tank inspection

@ June 16, 2013 7:51 AM in 275 gallon tank pressure test

It was always a  requirement here that the tank be filled prior to final inspection. That is a leak test. Not 100 gallons either, full tank. With price, etc, that has not been enforced in years, but was good practice. The label on the tank will provide any inspector will all the info they should need. Above and beyond manufactures pressure testing is some inspectors wet dream, and is not part of an instal , here in Mass anyways.

Replace it

@ June 16, 2013 7:42 AM in Backflow Preventer vent drip

preferably with something other than Watts, Conbraco perhaps. I always tell my customers that turn off their main to just shut it off, and walk away. Most people will flush a toilet, or run a faucet until it stops. Pressure is what seats these valves, and when that is gone, the vent opens and leaks. Sometimes they stop, sometimes they don't.

Happy Father's Day

@ June 16, 2013 7:32 AM in Happy Father's Day

Dan, and every dad here. Enjoy the day

coil of copper

@ June 9, 2013 3:36 PM in Amateur Hour gas boiler install

it's an old trick we used to use for water hammer. The only thing I see that was done just OK

agree with Paul

@ June 2, 2013 9:29 PM in Oil Boiler Leaking Water

sounds like a water logged extrol, lazy feed valve

if it's not broken

@ June 2, 2013 9:28 PM in Backwashing domestic tankless coil

don't fix it. You could wind up with a pin hole or two. If you have any doubts, or having issues with hot water, replace it. Years ago acid flushing was done regularly. A lot of coils plugged, leaked, potential health hazard, etc. I know of no one who would take that chance today

never heard of this

@ June 2, 2013 9:24 PM in 275 gallon tank pressure test

Where are you located? I can't believe that this is code. In 30 plus years, Mass, I have never performed, or was asked to pressure test a fuel tank. This is a manufacture only certification. They are asking you to play with fire, if it is over pressurized, and it fails at any time. 

indirect

@ May 17, 2013 8:44 AM in Longest lasting indirects

for me it was Amtrol.  Mine, and many other I installed back in the mid 80's are still in service. That would make them nearing 30 years old. The newer tanks are not lasting, I am finding. We used to instal Carlin/Ford as aquabank and gun fired, Many of those are still going strong. The only S-120 I tried was a defect. Haven't tried one since, but have them out there. Oldest gun fired still going in my customer base, close to a 50 year old Gould rear flue. I had quite a few of them, and never had a leaker. I put in many Thermaflow/Vaughn and found them to be among the worst. Barely lasted the 7 year warranty period in almost all cases. The Top Performer is a little better, but not much

Thanks Frank

@ May 12, 2013 9:17 PM in This Week's Steamer Replacement

Haven't seen one in these parts as of yet. Thought steel Emerald? was their all.  Thanks again

plugged line

@ May 12, 2013 9:15 PM in under ground tank

Paul, do you have a push/pull pump? Did you try to blow back to the tank already?  Not all installed foot  valves, so you may just need to blow the line. If it does blow back, I would back flush it with STR-2, or some additive to help clear the line. You can also run a line down the fill, if it is a straight shot, by making a T-Y, or dig up the lines

Columbia

@ May 12, 2013 11:36 AM in This Week's Steamer Replacement

Frank, that looks like a Utica SFH. Is it rebadged?

personally,

@ May 8, 2013 6:46 AM in 275 tank gauge recommendations/installation

not sure if blue teflon tape is rated for oil or not, I only use liquid sealer. Always have, always will.  Was there an underground tank there before? There is no need to disturb the bottom of the tank fittings unless they are leaking. If they are, then either empty the tank, or pull a vacuum on it to re-do them. 

besides aggressive water Ron,

@ May 8, 2013 6:35 AM in Copper pipe pitting

Only type "L" pipe is allowed here for domestic. Mid to late 1980's homes around here were springing leaks in a year or less. We were all using "M" pipe back then. The thicker "L" put an end to it.  Also flux inside the pipe does not dissolve, it eats it's way out. 

Why?

@ May 7, 2013 8:15 PM in return line depth in 275 tank

Why are you using a 2 pipe system? It only creates high vacuum, and plugs filters sooner. You won't lose prime if it is not down to the bottom. It should be close to the bottom though, especially if it is an underground tank. Sometimes the return line needed to become a feed line.

tank gauge

@ May 7, 2013 8:10 PM in 275 tank gauge recommendations/installation

If you can find a Scully product, I would go with that, but thy are hard to find. OEM-King is not that great. I have had problems with all their products off and on for years. OEM is now owned by Beckett, so hopefully the quality will improve. I would use Rectorseal on the threads, never teflon tape. Not only is it code not to use it here in Mass, it does break down, disolve from the fuel, and yes to vertical, horizontal, and cylinder type tanks

20 year old tank

@ April 13, 2013 10:39 AM in Vaughn Water Heater

might be best to consider replacing the tank itself. 

running often

@ April 13, 2013 10:33 AM in boiler with tankless hot water with additional water take

It may also be running for heat. It does both. Pics will help. What are your control settings?

only if

@ April 13, 2013 10:29 AM in Need a tigerloop?

you have to also bleed the fuel pump, and a tigerloop would not fix the air leaks. I am with Steve on this. You need a tech. If it comes on when reset, it is a burner problem. How old is the tank? I would consider an above ground tank. Here in Mass, 30 year old tanks were to come out back in 1995, and those that were not, were to have test wells around them monitored yearly.  Whatever state you are from, it may be best to consider updating.

ditto

@ April 4, 2013 6:57 PM in Return line or no return line?

What Ron and Steve said. One pipe should do the trick. Two pipe used to be the norm years back.  Advantage would be a spare line should the feed line become an issue with an underground tank.

I always

@ April 4, 2013 6:53 PM in Old 550 in ground tank, how many inches is absolute minimum?

pulled the suction line up about 4" off the bottom. Is the tank stickable?

last post

@ April 4, 2013 6:26 PM in Rattling sound

Good luck Mel. If you have the answers, why ask questions?

Not really Mel

@ April 2, 2013 8:22 PM in Rattling sound

I know this is more about sour grapes with you, and that is probably why no one else has responded. If the boiler is not installed correctly, than it won't perform correctly. Is it level? What are the temps? Where are the dip switches set? There is so much that is involved in a good install and set up.