Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Beautiful Gravity

Options
Matthew Grallert
Matthew Grallert Member Posts: 109
in THE MAIN WALL
I came across this beautiful gravity system the other day.  Over the years the system lost water and the newish home owner had no idea how it worked, only that there were some radiators that were cold. 

I filled the tank only to watch all the water run right back out of the bottom of the tank:-(  My question is are these tanks still available?  This tank is leaking from the tank itself not any of the fittings, I made sure to check this.  It would be really cool to keep this as origional as possable.  Thanks for any input.

Peace

Matthew

Comments

  • Dennis
    Dennis Member Posts: 101
    Options
    I am sure a welder could make one up in no time

    I have removed quite a few of these, a couple were riveted together.

    You could probably use an expansion tank, but the thin metal probably would have a short life.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Matthew Grallert
    Matthew Grallert Member Posts: 109
    Options
    Beautiful Gravity

    This one is riveted steel, Maybe 6 gallons. Very heavy gauge.
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
    Options
    It may be beautiful.

    But you could gain a lot of space and be rid of a potential bomb by removing that tank. Make sure you do allow for expansion else where in the system.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,845
    Options
    You should be able

    to get a replacement tank. You need one with sight-glass tappings. I wouldn't worry about the tank being a "bomb" since it looks like it vents into an overflow pipe. Does the boiler have a safety valve on it? 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
    Options
    You know me Frank

    I like to idiot proof things. Two years back a "Heat Tech" drained all the air out of a joist style expansion tank, plugged the leaking relief valve and closed the fill to the boiler. He then went to get a new relif valve and boiler fill. While he was gone he wanted the people to stay warm so he left the heat on. The tank ended up outside through the block wall by the time he got back. SO I see a tank where traffic can occur and I say cap it off and move it to the boiler room. Paranoid? Maybe, but I see some foolish things. I had to answer 4 questions about building and heating a copper riveted tank back when I got my masters license. Now that would look nice a copper riveted tank all polished up with Brass valves.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Matthew Grallert
    Matthew Grallert Member Posts: 109
    edited December 2009
    Options
    Beautiful Gravity

    I didn't unwrap the tank other then to find the leak but it appears to vent into the flue and also maybe the cellar?  Hard to say without unwrapping it.

    I don't see a problem with keeping the system as it is if I can find a replacement tank, with a sight glass.  Are they still available?  What would I use in it's stead?  Oh and I don't recall if there is a relief valve on the boiler. 
  • Matthew Grallert
    Matthew Grallert Member Posts: 109
    Options
    beautiful gravity

    So I was thinking... Could I use a solar drain back tank, like the HTP SSU-10DB?

    Seems this would do about the same thing.  Any comments?
  • Dave Stroman
    Dave Stroman Member Posts: 765
    Options
    Tank

    I have a couple of those old tanks if you really want one.  Better to just remove the unsightly thing and install a blader type on the boiler with a fill valve and a releif valve.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,327
    Options
    In general

    I agree with those who would want a more modern tank -- however... there is something to be said to keeping the old tank, or one like it, and they are idiot proof (and can't either water or air log) so long as no one is fool enough to put a valve on the vent(s).  The vent itself probably did go to the flue, and likely as not the pipe to the basement which you mentioned was an overflow...



    Of course, you could also keep it and clean it up, only disconnect it from the system, too.  Which isn't quite as silly as it sounds.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • rich pickering
    rich pickering Member Posts: 277
    edited January 2010
    Options
    build one

    Our sheet metal guys build them with galvanised steel. Solder the seams, add gauge glass valves and you are good to go.

    And get rid of that insulation.
  • Matthew Grallert
    Matthew Grallert Member Posts: 109
    Options
    really so simple?

    Is it really as simple as removing and capping the water supply in the cellar to the old tank and cutting in a bladder tank in the cellar, with a feed?  I have never had the opportunity to convert something like this.  The supply leaves the boiler and meets a Y where it then heads for the radiators I don't recall if there is a tapping in the crotch of the Y, that would make the install of a tank pretty simple.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories