Best Of
On a Happy Note
I received this message this morning from someone who got help from this site:
mustela12:27AMit’s 20°f. It’s 10pm. I spent the day at the hospital 2 hrs away w my 85 yr old mom in the ER. I get home and it’s 50° inside and dropping.I try a couple things w the boiler that worked the last time. Nuthin. Called two different 24 hr service companies. No one returns my call. I google some more.I find a brief message you posted in Nov ‘23 in response to a guy having problem similar to mine. Check the condensate trap for blockage.I don’t even know how or why this would affect the pressure switch (and I found the manual pdf so I have a lot of reading to do!) but IT WORKED.Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Two hrs later no one’s returned my calls (yeah I bet it’s that kind of night) but that’s OK cuz we’re good!Did I say Thank You?
Ironman
Re: Do portable evaporative humidifiers make it feel warmer ?
This. Humidity slows rate of evaporation from body. Hence, low humidity dry heat feeling cooler.
Re: 2 risers compared to 1 on steam boiler?
you guys are awesome. As always I have gotten my answer in abundance. I am a professional licensed yadi yadi with 20 years experience. I have seen countless “pros” that are just plain inadequate. It’s no news. I have also never seen a pro put in sight glasses on a steam header to actually dig deep and see what’s going on. When I saw some of your videos ethical I was seriously impressed. I love them and appreciate what you’ve done for the community immensely.
Re: Problem with steam boiler
You need the burner serviced. Clogged nozzle, bad filter, air in the oil lines, dirt in the lines, dirty controls… Worn electrodes. Could be any of those. A competent burner serviceman can repair that and tune the burner with instruments so it burns safely and efficiently.
Poor combustion can be dangerous or cause lots of damage.
Re: 2 risers compared to 1 on steam boiler?
If everyone just followed the MFG piping requirements and skimmed the boiler properly there would be few problems.
There are DIY hacks and professional hacks to be sure. That will never change except by education. Since it has been proven that these hacks have proven they do not read (or cannot read) the manual or skim the boiler or use copper on steam headers this will probably never change.
The contractors I dislike are the ones that "have done it that way for 30, 40, 50, years" Yup you did, and you have done it wrong the whole time.
I know I installed steam boilers (and probably everything else) wrong in my early years.
That's why we are all here to learn.
I haven't met anyone yet that knows everything
EBEBRATT-Ed
Re: PSI at boiler exceeds 30psi when hot in 4 story house
Ideally the circulator should be pumping away from the expansion tank and pressure reducing valve. The expansion tank location is the Point Of No Pressure Change (PONPC) in the hydronic circuit. With 22 PSI in the system when the circulator kicks on the pressure after it will be slightly higher and the pressure before it slightly lower. If you have the circulator on the return, expansion tank after the circulator and pressure reducing valve before the circulator it's possible that the pressure reducing valve might see low enough pressure to add more water to the boiler. Depending on what pressure the expansion tank and reducing valve are set for this could lead to the relief valve eventually opening. I like to connect the pressure reducing valve to the PONPC to avoid this scenario.
Re: DIY Boiler Installation -- Peerless 63-03
Your local inspector allowed you to do the gas and water installation? without a plumbing or gas fitter license?
In NJ and other states, homeowners are legally allowed to pull permits and do their own work. But only on their own private home.
Re: How to secure fiberglass insulation wrap?
In all seriousness, I'd be way more worried about having fiberglass around my kids than a hot pipe. The fiberglass is an irritant at minimum. Also, having raised 3 kids, the pipe wrap will be way more fascinating to them and they will inevitably pick at the insulation and make a mess, and get the fibers in their skin. I know how much it irritates my skin, I can't imagine dealing with a baby going through that. My perspective is perhaps skewed having worked in a fiberglass plant for a few years.
I have one pipe steam, the kids didn't touch them. Even if they did, it won't burn them as their automatic nervous system will make them pull back long before any damage can occur. They might cry, but they won't be injured. It's quite literally not a danger. For me, fiberglass can be.
KC_Jones