Contractor for new one pipe steam system in upstate NY

Unknown

Is ur home big enough for all the steam wallies to meet? Dan, is this ur next 'Dead Men steam class' location?

David Monk

Contractor for new one pipe steam system in upstate NY

Hi,

My wife and I recently bought a 1901 Queen Anne Victorian in Clifton Park, NY. The previous owner had blown up the boiler and pulled almost all the original pipe out in the sixties. Luckilly, almost all our ornate radiators are still present. (We're missing 3) We want to convert back to a single pipe steam system, but noone I've called seems to have a clue. Does anyone know of a reputable person near Albany that still does single pipe steam? We'll need a boiler and almost all the piping. Thanks!

Dave

kevin coppinger_4

Did you try....

find a pro???? put your zip code into that.....check the upper section of the menu. kpc

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Steamhead (in transit)

David, I'd think

some of us steam enthusiasts would do a road trip to help out on this!

Let's see..... Baltimore to Albany is a day's drive......

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David Monk

Yep.

The only people nearby listed their specialty as radiant heating installs. I called some of them. Some of the answers I got to my questions included: "we would pipe the system in copper" "4-5psi is proper for one pipe steam system". I dont think either of those answers warrent a call back according to reading Dans books.

DanHolohan

Sigh.

gerry gill

I was just thinking how

steamhead or matt sweeny might be interested in a roadtrip for this one.

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David Sutton_6

Hey Frank...

I'll meet you there.....David

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Mad Dog_2

I guess you haven't called....Mark and Darin From

Comfortable Home Technologies. They could more than handle it, They are On Find A Professional, and they are very close: Ballston Lake. If they are not interested, Steamhead and I might take a ride up. Mad Dog

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Brad White_78

Mark and Darin are

uniquely qualified. And funny, if that helps too.

David Monk

Thanks everyone!

I got frustrated when I called some places and got bum answers (one person actually came to our house, did a heat loss calculation to size a boiler, without ever even looking at the existing radiators). I recently purchased three of Dan's books and used my newfound knowledge to ask some loaded questions. I'm glad I did. (Special kudos to Dan for authoring such great books) I figured it would be easier to just ask on the wall. I'll try calling Mark and Darin from Comfortable Home Technologies, unless Steamhead and company are that gung ho to come to upstate NY for an install. (If you are, let me know and I can give you a call or email.)

Darin Cook_2

David

We would be more than happy to lend a hand. Our office # is 384-0514 (Ballston Lake). I have just spent all day over at Stratton ANGB serving this Great Nation and State of ours (in the HVAC shop of all things)! Sorry I did not respond sooner! Both Mark and I own the "Lost Art of Steam Heating" so we can bore you with mind numbing physics lessons. Our craftsmanship is second to none. We look forward to hearing from you!





A dedicated professional, Darin

David Sutton_6

Frank, Matt...cancell the bus



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Mad Dog_2

Mad Dog Don't do buses.......................UNLESS

there is a rolling bar and a GOOD CLEAN HEAD. mAD dOG

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Mad Dog_2

Nope...only if my Captal Region brothers were not interested

Furthermore, its ALWAYS preferable to have someone local if a problem occurs., after install. You're in Golden hands with them. THEY are the guys for that job. I might take a ride up just to play critic with a bottle of Jack as I sit in the corner and bust chops...but Mark can throw a 2" Cast Iron 90 pretty far and fast. Your in real good hands. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

We would love to see some pics of those rads.....

I did the same thing, but the home had only once filigree'd rad...the rest I collected along the way...even in Boston. Mad Dog

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Steamhead (in transit)

Naaah, we'll reschedule it

for when the system is done. Then it's party time in Albany- OK with you, David M.?

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David Monk

Sure thing! But be sure to bring your

plaster trowel - unless we've got the plaster work done by then (which we should). This house is a real time capsule. Almost NOTHING has been done to it since it was build except when it was electrified in 1931 - although now it has more outlets in any given room than the entire house had before we bought it.

David Monk

Radiator picture

I hope that it is ok to post pictures here... All our valves a a "P" with intricate scroll work on them. We're missing several and I'd love to find replacements if anyone has seen some.

David Monk

Great!

Thanks Darin. I'll give you a call on Monday. I'm an analytical chemist, so I can tolerate lots of boring physics lessons. I was seriously beginning to wonder if we were going to find someone to do a new steam system. I was almost considering taking it on myself. It seems like I've found all the bad HVAC people Dan talks about in his books.

Mark Hunt

David


True story.

The first story I ever read to my son was from "The Lost Art Of Steam Heating".

We do not use copper on steam.....not ever.

We REALLY need to get our web page updated!!! We will have a page dedicated to steam systems.

Look forward to meeting you.

Mark H

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David Monk

Hi Mark

I think it would be great for you to have a steam section on your website. I know my wife and I can't be the only ones in the area who want/have a steam system... Talk to you soon.

Steamhead (in transit)

David, that's a wreath around the \"P\"

which tells me the valves were made by the Pierce, Butler & Pierce company of Syracuse, NY.

I looked in my 1915 and 1917 PBP fitter's catalogs and your radiator appears therein. The one in the pic is the "Pierce 2-Column Ornamented" model- the ornamentation itself is a bit different from that in my catalogs though. Look carefully where the supply valve's tailpiece threads into the rad, you should see "Pierce, Butler & Pierce" cast into the iron around the tapping.

Check the floors where rads are missing. Look for their footprints and measure them. This will give you some idea of what replacements you're after.

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David Monk

WOW

I'm very impressed. I've been searching high and low to identify the maker of our valves and radiators. In one day, you've done what I couldn't do in months. The only question is: there isn't any maker's mark cast in our radiators where you say there should be. Could they predate your catalog? (Our house was built in 1901.) It is possible they didn't add the steam heat until later, as there are 5 openings for stove pipes in the house, but I thought steam was the original heating system.

If you ever see any of these valves, please let me know. We're missing some of them and I'd love to have replacements. I assume the previous owners sold them for scrap.

Can you post/send a scan of the catalog page?

Steamhead (in transit)

Here ya go

If there's no mark around the valve tailpiece, look for the word "Pierce" somewhere on one of the columns of the end sections. There should be something there to ID who made it, though I've seen some rads that lacked maker's info (such as some that I later found were made by J.L. Mott, but they don't look like yours).

The second pic is the title page of the 1915 catalog, showing the Pierce trademark.

My copy is out in the truck, but I believe these rads are in Dan's book "E.D.R.". You can order this on the site, click on the Shop button at the top.

I'm almost certain the steam was a retrofit, based on those old woodstove flues. It was very popular for this type of retrofit since you only had to run one pipe up thru the rooms to reach the upper floors.

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David Monk

How many people would there be?

I'd consider offering our home as an example of a new steam install if people are interested.

David Sutton_6

Hi David

If Mad dog and Steamhead make the trip i'll shoot out also, Thanks!I love a good steam boiler and system...David

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Mark Hunt

Great idea!


You guys can carry the new boiler in!

What a great bunch of guys!

Mark H

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Unknown

Steamstock!

Only in New York, Steamstock (woodstock) all them wetheads will be there to see the bands like; Mad Dog, Hydronova, Steamhead, Siggy, Hot Rod, Plum Dog, and many others... I'll be there selling the " Save the Radaitors!" shirts.. All the deadmen will be there lookin down at us... I'm sure Dan H will be there .....

Unknown

forgot

Forgot in earlier post, another band... Weezbo....

Brad White_79

Live Streaming Video

For some reason, a web cam with live streaming video came to mind to capture this barn raising for those of us who live vicariously... What a team effort in the works, my word...