Best Of

And those riser pipes from the boiler to the header should be 2-1/2", but it looks like the only riser they put in is 2". Obviously whoever installed that boiler didn't bother to read the manual.

I can't follow this piping from such close shots. I took the time to put the pieces together so I could see how bad this is. Here is what I have come up with. Compare it to the Weil McLain illustration 18 that i modified for 2 main risers.

When compared to the instructions, (with modification for 2 main risers) there are too many extra fittings and pipes, along with possible incorrect pitch that can cause the header to hold condensate from returning to the equalizer back the the boiler return, and even pushing water back up into the main. Now that will bang like crazy

I think @109A_5 illustrates the easiest fix for your contractor. Just as long as the Header is properly pitched towards the Equalizer, and the Hartford loop is properly constructed. that 24" dimension can be more than 24" to get dryer steam. The higher the better.

Let your contractor look at this set of diagrams so it is more better clearer. Picture being worth a thousand words … and all.

The close nipple on the Hartford loop is important. The longer that pipe is the more noise it can make.

As the folks have noted, the piping to your son's radiator is marginal in size. It's also long. This makes it all the more important that it be absolutely straight from one end to the other, and that it have adequate pitch — it must slopw back to the main, and I'd want an inch or two in that length if I could get it. That may be where your hammering is coming from, especially at the beginning of a run as the pipe is heating up.

I did my own boiler in 2010 because my house had a cracked one but no one around to replace it in the SE. Used US fittings and pipe. Easily cost of boiler X4. And I didnt pay myself!

3x the boiler cost is a fair starting point, but have some contingency money as well for like asbestos removal, chimney liners, radiator valves and condensate return lines, etc.

………………ducting to bring fresh air to the boiler room from outdoors……………..with fire damper

……………… 2.5" risers, 4" drop header……………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………removing cement encased 500g oil tank in an oil to gas connversion……………………..

………………..repiping the HWH..no 1/2" permitted anymore………

………………..Installing CO detector with boiler shutoff…………

………………..Tekmar 279 in lieu of thermostat……………………………

…………………40' SS chimney liner………………8"…………………………………

……………….1" insulation on all NBP and 100' of 2.5"…………………………………………

………………..2.5" King Valves (2)……………………………………………………………………..

………………..timer to delay feed water for 12 minutes after shutdown……………

……………….. (2) Gorton 2, (4) Gorton 1, (8) Gorton 4, (10) Gorton 5, (4) Gorton 6..

……………..in NYC………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6X cost of boiler.

-

Did anyone mention the chimney flue?

That can get into some big numbers.

I had to do a 45' 10" SS and that cost was about like buying another boiler.

In the Hot Water heating side, the chimney option might turn the job into a Mod Con rather than simple CI.