Is Ph important?

Viess

Should I keep an eye on the PH of my hydronic hot water baseboard setup? And if so what should I keep the Ph at? 

hot_rod

new system?

in a new system I think it is wise to run a hydronic clean, then a hydronic conditioner. New systems may be installed with naked copper, steel, iron, brass, stainless, ?? etc. parts. The cleaner will prep these surfaces and remove oils, fluxes, pipe joint compound residue, etc.



Then the conditioner will buffer the ph of the fill fluid, lock up and hardness, and most importantly provide a very this protective film on the bare metal surfaces.



If you use the cleaner and conditioner products they will change the ph of basic tap water, usually to the alkaline side. The product directions will tell you what ph to expect and how to check the fluid.



If the system is leak free and no O2 ingress it should be fine for years.



Old systems will probably have a film or rust surface from years of service that protects the components.



Regardless it is a good idea to take a sample to a treatment specialist if you are concerned. The condition and treatment of the fluid depends on what materials are in the system. Aluminum and stainless need different products to protect them and tighter water specs. Chlorides, hardness, ph are a few of the things that need to be checked.



Old radiant systems with non barrier tube will need an on-going treatment procedure to keep all the non ferrous parts from corroding and scaling the HX surfaces or worse case plugging up the system and boiler passageways.



Long answer for a short question.



hr

Viess

Old system Boiler Replacement.

The old boiler was cast iron and the new one will be Stainless. The supply and return piping are copper. Any suggestions on a Brand name Ph / protective corrosion inhibitor additive? Thanks

Unknown

PH treatment,, good question,,,

In my area I stock Hydro-Solve 9100(to flush the old system),, but no-one ever wants to pay for the time involved to do so.



Addressing the PH?, huh, I most certainly know what(and respect) you mean, but if my price is higher than most(which it always is) no customers will call.



Unfortunately, the bottom-line rules in my area!

Tim McElwain

Rhomar is a good water

treatment system to use and can be geared to the particular setup you have.