Best Of
Re: Experience I had with a boiler tech and what I learned along the way.
Zero CO? hmmm that's odd
where are you sticking the probe?
high CO—-many more reasons that fuel/air ratio
I hope you have some good CO detectors on the home
GW
Re: Why would my pressure relief drip leg leak a little?
The valve is likely installed improperly and should be installed in a "vertical upright position". Otherwise mung (technical term) can settle on the seat or clog the flow causing its failure. You can check the valve maker's literature.
A PDTech said, you can try reseating the valve by playing with the handle and flushing debris from the seat.
Most manufacturers require the valve to be tested every two months by opening the lever and flushing for five seconds to clear accumulated debris from the seat and assure it's not blocked.
It's not uncommon for improperly installed valves to leak and require replacement. Use a properly sized valve. Never plug the discharge line.
Re: need advice on scary steam boiler - no water in sight glass, running high pressure
What mattmia2 says.
Most of the systems we see look like this. The system needs to be evaluated and serviced. Anyone buying a home should employ a plumber to evaluate and service their heating system. Continued operation of a system that's not properly serviced can be hazardous.
Any new homeowner without knowledge of heating systems simply has to find someone competent to evaluate and service what they purchased. Contrary to many of these comments, there is no indication here of costly problems.
A heating system with neglected maintenance cannot be evaluated without seeing the system.
Re: ? actual difference between hot water heaters from supplyhouses and big box stores
I’ve had customers do that. There told call someone else. You can’t afford me!
pecmsg
Re: Seeking your thoughts regarding a boiler/system upgrade for a small 1980s ranch.
Yes but that might have stifled the owner's creativity;)
Re: Understanding Plumbing Licensing Suffolk/Nassau
The only thing I would take out is that although Nassau County DOES have a Dept. of Consumer Affairs, they do NOT license plumbers, only general contractors and other businesses. Suffolk County Consumer Affairs DOES issue plumbing licenses that covers many areas, but several of the Townships also issue their specific license: Huntington, Islip, Babylon, et cetera...Mad Dog
Re: Understanding Plumbing Licensing Suffolk/Nassau
Pretty good list. Plumbers should show it to their customers who complain about their rates.
Re: Cast iron radiator output tables are wrong?
@hot_rod Thanks for that. Interesting that the text in your final screen shot talks about the mismatch between "legacy" (pre-1980) systems that were designed for high water temps, so aren't a good match for mod-cons.
Ironically, our even older "legacy" system here (circa 1930) would be ideal for a mod-con, because we have so much radiation that we could probably heat the entire building with sub-120 degree water.
What's old becomes new again if you wait long enough. 😊
jesmed1
Re: Old Brooklyn NY church
This was a very common arrangement to get fresh air into a building and stale air out — in the days when we weren't concerned much about energy conservation. And it worked and worked well. No fans needed, no electricity, silent… easily controlled… what's not to like? Except that it wasn't all that efficient…
I saw a number of these when I was inspecting schools in Vermont, some 50 years ago.
