Best Of
Re: Excessive Water Hammer / Knocking trying to find source
Hey guys! Update after the boiler guy came.
Hartford Loop is within spec, he showed me in the book and the height, he agreed it did look off and they probably shouldn't have cut across the boiler but it is working. He saw the surging and heard the knocking, water in my sight glass is far too low he suggested to keep it 1/2 filled and see if the surging stops, he filled it to 1/2 glass and ran the boiler for about an hour, no knocking or surging. it's been about 24 hours and the only knocking we've heard is the small "knock knock" that the rads do, nothing like the surging or violent banging we've been hearing.
The other issues, he agreed 100% there needs to be another vent on the main going from the second pipe. Problem, the cap is basically fused into the pipe, they'll have to cut it off and refit it. Going to do that in the summer. The current main vent is old and should be replaced. Again that'll go in the summer.
Pitch on all but 1 radiator is correct, but the bigger issue with the rads is the air vents are on the top instead of the middle of the last piece, making them close way too early. They're going to correct that. One of my rads is leaking, the ball/socket is misaligned, they'll fix that.
The last thing he did was a very long skim and refill, he did put more stuff in it because the water was having a hard time turning clear, he told me let it sit in there for a week or two then flush it out again.
All and all they can do all these fixes in the same day, just need to schedule it, going to aim for May/June to do it, he said all in all the only cost would be the fitting for the capped pipe shoulder about $ in total for the part/labor, everything else hits my new boiler's warranty and no cost to me.
Thanks for all the insights guys absolutely appreciate all the help here. It's always great to be able to bring something to the table and have the repair guy listen to you.
Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job
I am a GC. Still, I've had clients who wanted to keep costs down. If they have the right skills for all the different parts of project management and if I know them pretty well, I'll help them do the job as needed. Some people can't take guidance and only want what they want now, with no ability to look longer term. I won't even refer people for those jobs.
Yours, Larry
Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job
I've GC'd before and things turned out well. I wouldn't have any problem doing it again.
Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job
I would actually prefer to do my own work under the guidance of the pro.
The pro works with me to plan out the job. I get the necessary permits I need, procure the materials and build it out. Pro comes by and verifies what I’ve done was done to our plan and helps set up inspections.
Job gets closed out as complete.
Homeowner becomes more knowledgeable about trade work and possibly opens up a new revenue stream for the pro without the overheads.
PeteA
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
Yes there are a lot of water shut-off devices on the market now. From mild to wild. I've heard some insurance providers give you a deduction if you have one installed?
Certainly some additional piece of mind. Regardless of the type of fitting or connection.
hot_rod
Re: Plated and underfloor radiant without insulation beneath the plates\tubing.
You are on the right track understanding it is the building that dictates the energy consumption, for the most part.
Building usage also, leaving doors open as an example :)
Blower door tests are the biggest eye opener, as infiltration is a hard number to guesstimate.
Infrared cameras can show where a breakdown of insulation adds to heat loss.
High heating costs are often more about the cost of the energy increasing, additional fees that get added.
You need to know the actual amount of fuel the heating system uses, apart from other appliances.
I've know energy auditors to add a gas meter right at the boiler to get exact numbers.
hot_rod
Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job
I think it comes down to the actual person, or people involved, not based on a title or what license they hold necessarily. The interview should be as much about personality as job experience.
Spell out in writing what is expected from all the parties.
License and liability can be an issue, bank financing often dictates the legal requirements. My current city allows homeowners to do quite a bit of the GC work if you post a bond, and hve an engineered design, stamped by a state licensed PE.
I have GCed all my building projects, ground up and remodels. Being in the trades helps you find the subs that will work this way.
At days end most all the subs helped each others out, when it came their turn to build you reciprocate. At least when we were all starting out in business. And in a small town
hot_rod
Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job
and how often does it go badly with a professional gc?
mattmia2
Re: DHW Check valves
I too, have a gravity flow recir DHW system, 24/7 365, (My first transgression).
It has a swing check that allows the small trickle of return water to go into the bottom of the tank. An almost closed ball valve throttles the flow (another sin).
Instant hot water in the farthest bath. Insulated supply and return lines.
No pump, no controls, no electricity……I tell myself the cost of the previous items would offset the added NG cost…….❓️
JUGHNE
Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job
No, most of the time Homeowner GC never goes well.
Half way through the job they want to start adding things.
There may be some instances where a homeowner may be a excellent GC but most have no clue of the scope of the work installed or what needs to be done.
Who does clean up
who disposes of rubbish and rubble
They want to buy their own material but when the Amazon Junk or HD junk fails they want you to change it out for free.
If they supply the material they will buy the wrong stuff or it will not be available when you need it.
