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Re: Boiler Replacement Quote
The fact that he didn't mention the Hartford loop, especially after you brought it up, is concerning. It’s also odd that he didn’t know about skimming, which is critical for removing oils from a new boiler, especially with steam systems where clean water is essential. His reliance on chemicals instead of skimming seems like a shortcut.
Re: Repair small section of 3/8 oil line?
Brake lines are double flare with reverse nuts. The flange of the flare is double the thickness, the edge is on the inside so a crack can't form from it, and the reverse flare nut exserts a lot more force on the flange than an ordinary flare nut.
mattmia2
Re: Repair small section of 3/8 oil line?
Standard flares properly done are used on refrigeration where they can't leak and have been used for years.
The only time I ever had trouble flaring was sometimes old tubing that you were connecting to had become work hardened when flared.
This could easily be fixed by either heating the tubing to anneal it, Turning the flaring tool back and forth so as to flare it a little at a time and not all at once and using a drop of oil on the flaring tool. Also remover the burr on the inside with a jackknife or reamer before flaring and make the flare as large as possible for more sealing surface. If you make it to big so the nut will not go on just file the outside of the flare a bit.
Re: Repair small section of 3/8 oil line?
I have made that particular repair more than once. if it is leak free once you have made the repair, then I see no problem with it. this is most likely a Post inspection type of repair @Jamie Hall. I have repaired many heating systems that have been inspected after the job was completed years ago, and there has never been any cause for inspection after that initial commissioning of the system.
Even if it was inspected and you were to attempt to Red Tag that repair, I might ask this: What if the fuel line needed to be more than 50 feet ling, and only 50 foot lengths of tubing were available, What would you recommend to put the two pieces of copper together in order to make the full run from tank to burner? I might think you would recommend a Flare Union. So what makes your union acceptable and my union not acceptable?
Re: Control assistance
Wouldn't adding that return have the potential to negatively affect the draft on the chimney for the wood stove? If you are pulling more air out of the room then the furnace fan is adding to the room I can see it causing a back draft problem.
Re: X-pando used on pipe 10 years ago...
I'd go with RTV. At the pressures we run, it should seal, provided there is enough decent thread left to hold the thing in place mechanically.
Re: Weil McLain steam boiler and water treatment
It might take some time to get all the sludge out, but 8-way will help, just don't overdo it. Add a little, let it free up some gunk, drain a little mud out the bottom, repeat. Eventually you want to get to where you don't have to drain very much.
It has basically the same ingredients as the old Steammaster tablets had. I never have heard anyone have any problem in a Weil-McClain with typical boiler treatments.
Re: Should radiators be replaced by Forced air system.
Forced air will NOT heat an old house with solid walls comfortably. I’ve seen it happen before when people didn’t follow my advice and they removed the radiators and went with forced air. They were cold even when the the thermostat was set at 75* because the walls were still 60* and acting as a big heat sink.
Radiators heat the mass of the structure, including the walls, which in turn heats the air. Forced air does the exact opposite: it heats the air which in turn heats the structure. This is the reverse of a proper heating system.
There’s an article on here by Dan entitled “75 Degrees Cold” which explains this in more detail. I recommend that you read it.
The question still remains: is this a steam or hot water system?
Ironman
Re: Should radiators be replaced by Forced air system.
It should be against the law to replace radiators with forced air in a historic home such as yours. I would never consider it. You will be destroying some of the historical significance of the home.
Forced air systems are not superior, they are just cheaper and easier to install.
Re: Boiler Replacement Quote
I'm not sure it's a huge difference between states. Yes, some differences. Just like the traffic differences between states. From this outsider's perspective, the licensing system seems more to protect entrenched interests than being there to ensure correct, safe installations.