Boiler Service Before Heating Season

Frank L.

I suppose it is recommended to have the boiler serviced or inspected by a professional before turning it on for the heating season?  My boiler is about 3 years old.  What generally is done during this service or inspection?

Steamhead

Is this

an oil- or gas-fired boiler? Hot-water or steam? 

Frank L.

Sorry ...

Been away from this board during the non-heating season and I totally forgot how to post correctly!



I have a gas boiler in a one-pipe steam system. 

Frank L.

What Do They Do?

I guess I'm curious to know what is done during a service call at the start of the heating system.  I had someone come out and look at our boiler after it had been installed, but he whatever he did took a short time and I didn't stand around and watch what he did.  I believe he put some kind of cleaning agent in the boiler, but I'm not sure what else was done aside from that.  The boiler was new at the time, so maybe there wasn't much to do.  I don't know.

Steamhead

First off

check the operation of your safeties- pressuretrol, low-water cutoff- and service as needed. Then a combustion test using a digital analyzer. While the system is running, check for leaky vents, packing nuts etc and repair/replace as needed. If the boiler water is dirty, flush it out. Chemicals are not recommended except in special case, since you have to get all the chemical out of the system and that can take some doing.



This is just a basic list, which may be added to depending on the type of boiler or installation.

Frank L.

Thanks ...

I don't think the person was there long enough last time to do all of that stuff the last time I asked to have it inspected/check out before the heneating season but that was only a year after the initial install and after one heating season. Plus, I'm pretty sure he used some kind of cleaner inside the boiler to clean inside the boiler. Unfortunately, this was the same contractor who installed the boiler.

JStar

Generally...

If a boiler is less than 5 years old, and I installed it myself, I can breeze through a lot of the maintenance. On any older boilers, or ones that I have not worked on, I could take up to an hour to run through my checklist, just by being cautious.



Every gas boiler should have the burners pulled and cleaned.

Clean any thermocouple or flame sensor. Test for proper readings.

Drain and skim.

Clean and test LWCO and all other safeties.

Remove pigtail, pressuretrol, and sight glass. Clean thoroughly.

Inspect sections for leaks.

Inspect chimney. Test draft.

Visually check all electrical connections for signs of rusting.

Check inlet and outlet gas pressure.

Check pilot flame.

Cycle boiler from thermostat. Don't jump T+T on the boiler.

Wait for main vents to close.

Check that each radiator run-out is getting hot.

Check radiators for leaks, or bad vents.

Return is coming back hot.

Boiler may or may not cycle on pressure.





I am very deliberate with my inspections, and like I said, may take up to an hour to do everything. I always right down specific details that I found (ie: thermocouple or flame sensor reading) so the customer will know that I checked. If a start-up really does only take me 30 minutes, I'll stay and spend more time on cleaning up the boiler and surrounding area.



I think a big problem that we run into is that a lot of companies hire young service techs who might not be comfortable with taking apart the boiler, or they may not want the hassle of running into a problem so they turn their back on a certain part of the maintenance. My previous company was notorious for the "10-Minute-Maintenance" because a lot of the guys just didn't even know what to do. And if you aren't sure about something, most guys probably won't choose to find out on their own. It's easier to just assume that everything is working fine.

Frank L.

OK ...

That gives me some idea of what how thorough a maintenance call should be. Your description of the young or inexperienced tech is spot on. The person who they sent was not on the team that installed the boiler. He was the guy who had come out to take measurements and collect information for the estimate.



Do you service NYC?