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Re: Question on Gas Boilers
As much to be contrarian as anything -- but how long do you expect a metal chimney to last? Never mind a power venter? There are three masonry chimneys in the main house I care for. They date from about 1800 to 1893. None leak... Another house I care for has only one, built in about 1740. It doesn't leak either...
Steam Riser Nightmare
Hi-
We recently moved into an old building in Soho, NY. Over the past 150 years, many modifications have been made to the steam heat system. We have 2 major issues (in our bedroom of course) and looking for any input or guidance! The dropbox link contains the videos from each of our problem areas. (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wilwhhny7uswuy5/AADMRBZsgVKjjtdP2qpBnEUYa?dl=0) Our building plumbers have been here SIX times and despite some changes- the problems persist.
#1- Vertical east riser next to radiator (east riser on video link). Our radiators are always OFF and they emit zero sound. As soon as the boiler turns on, starts with snapping then within 1 minute, severe banging. There used to be a horizontal run-off at the top, which is now capped. We reduced the amount of contact of the riser with the floor and this seemed to reduce some of the snapping (including milk carton). Our plumbers do not think the horizontal cap with possible water retention is a source.
#2- Ceiling Riser/Horizontal Run off (Ceiling riser on video link). Severe banging (and ceiling damage) about 3 minutes after boiler turns on. This is pipe exits above a closet and enters the apt above to a radiator. The horizontal run off is about 10 feet long behind our closet and the pitch is questionable, but our plumbers feel it is sufficient. When our upstairs neighbor turns off their radiator, the horizontal runoff remains cold and makes ZERO sound. Thus, our plumbers told our upstairs neighbor the radiator was the problem. $3500 later and with new radiators, SAME PROBLEM!
The boiler cycles every few hours in the winter and we cannot sleep through it. Our building management is useless and worried our plumbers will not be able to solve the problems. Any help appreciated!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wilwhhny7uswuy5/AADMRBZsgVKjjtdP2qpBnEUYa?dl=0
We recently moved into an old building in Soho, NY. Over the past 150 years, many modifications have been made to the steam heat system. We have 2 major issues (in our bedroom of course) and looking for any input or guidance! The dropbox link contains the videos from each of our problem areas. (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wilwhhny7uswuy5/AADMRBZsgVKjjtdP2qpBnEUYa?dl=0) Our building plumbers have been here SIX times and despite some changes- the problems persist.
#1- Vertical east riser next to radiator (east riser on video link). Our radiators are always OFF and they emit zero sound. As soon as the boiler turns on, starts with snapping then within 1 minute, severe banging. There used to be a horizontal run-off at the top, which is now capped. We reduced the amount of contact of the riser with the floor and this seemed to reduce some of the snapping (including milk carton). Our plumbers do not think the horizontal cap with possible water retention is a source.
#2- Ceiling Riser/Horizontal Run off (Ceiling riser on video link). Severe banging (and ceiling damage) about 3 minutes after boiler turns on. This is pipe exits above a closet and enters the apt above to a radiator. The horizontal run off is about 10 feet long behind our closet and the pitch is questionable, but our plumbers feel it is sufficient. When our upstairs neighbor turns off their radiator, the horizontal runoff remains cold and makes ZERO sound. Thus, our plumbers told our upstairs neighbor the radiator was the problem. $3500 later and with new radiators, SAME PROBLEM!
The boiler cycles every few hours in the winter and we cannot sleep through it. Our building management is useless and worried our plumbers will not be able to solve the problems. Any help appreciated!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wilwhhny7uswuy5/AADMRBZsgVKjjtdP2qpBnEUYa?dl=0
Possible undersized boiler
Hi,
I just had a new boiler installed and the company provided me with the make of the boiler and ensured me it was the right size for my home.
A little background: my old boiler was a Weil-McLain model P-WTGO-6 and had a net btu of 184k. The new boiler installed by the company has a net btu of 100k. My house is setup for a two zone and is ~3300 sqft.
The unit was installed yesterday and right away I noticed issues. The upstairs doesn't get heat. The hot water only last for maybe 5 mins and then it goes cold. The boiler seems to be cycling often maybe every 5-10 minutes.
I have a called the company to come out but I wanted to know if the symptoms I explained are the result of an undersized boiler? Also I'm confused why a company would install a unit with that big of a difference in net btu.
I just had a new boiler installed and the company provided me with the make of the boiler and ensured me it was the right size for my home.
A little background: my old boiler was a Weil-McLain model P-WTGO-6 and had a net btu of 184k. The new boiler installed by the company has a net btu of 100k. My house is setup for a two zone and is ~3300 sqft.
The unit was installed yesterday and right away I noticed issues. The upstairs doesn't get heat. The hot water only last for maybe 5 mins and then it goes cold. The boiler seems to be cycling often maybe every 5-10 minutes.
I have a called the company to come out but I wanted to know if the symptoms I explained are the result of an undersized boiler? Also I'm confused why a company would install a unit with that big of a difference in net btu.
imxelite
1
Re: How efficient is my boiler? No really
Currently averaging 48.71% efficiency over the last 112 days 
fentonc
1
Re: What do I do with my indirect water heater when I go on vacation?
ASHRAE Recommends 140* F for 1 hour to kill the bacteria.hot_rod said:If you turn it down or off, I would run it up above 140 for 1/2 hour when you turn it on again. Just to be sure and potential bacteria growth i dealt with. Let some run out of the shower also, as non use is when legionella takes over in the piping.
pecmsg
1
Re: What do I do with my indirect water heater when I go on vacation?
If you turn it down or off, I would run it up above 140 for 1/2 hour when you turn it on again. Just to be sure and potential bacteria growth i dealt with. Let some run out of the shower also, as non use is when legionella takes over in the piping.
hot_rod
2
Blocked Chimney Disaster
Hi everybody, I recently had a disaster at my house. Hired a chimney contractor to install a small wood/coal stove. They totally botched the job. In one of their attempts to fix a downdraft problem, they put a mickey mouse extension on the oil flue and placed the vent cap on way to low which partially obstructed the flue causing fumes to backup into the house over a 5 week period. Entire house is now contaminated and so is everything in that we own. My family is now forced to huddle in a camper in our driveway because the house is unlivable. The smell in the house at first was a very pungent, rancid and putrid odor you could imagine. It resembled a chloroform/ether/formaldehyde odor. Along with a biting salty acidic taste which would make your lips sting and burn your throat. ServiceMaster is coming to clean the house but we lost all our food, bedding, clothes, furniture, rugs etc... At this point, the smell has morphed into a salt like particulate hanging in the air. I'm hoping they can get the house back to normal, but my main concern and question is: Can this have any long term deteriorating effects on other mechanical systems in the house such as: plumbing, electrical, duct work etc...? All advice welcome. We are in a desperate situation. Thank you.
sparkie
1
Re: Steam boiler not working correctly
I saw that thread which seems like he had a similar system he removed. Not sure if he also had a 2 pipe system.reggi said:
Now I'm wondering if the system needs to have lots of main vents installed on the return lines.
Dave8699
1
Re: Honeywell supervent
Does it keep pressure if you turn off the valve to the make up water supply? Air doesn't just appear in a system, it has to come from somewhere. The 2 biggest suspects would be there is a leak somewhere and the air is coming from that fresh water that is replacing it or the diaphragm in the expansion tank is leaking.
mattmia2
1
Re: Splitting a Rad
It would probably be better to use some big pipe clamps and blocks of wood to pull it together than the tension rods. They are really just to hold it together, not to pull it together.
mattmia2
3