Number of Risers.....

ryanr256

From looking at the posts on the Wall, I've noticed that most of the pictures of the various boilers and near boiler piping have two risers going into the header.



My system has only one. And, the I&O for the boiler has a diagram that is captioned "Typical Steam System Piping" and it shows one riser. There isn't much on how to pipe the boiler other than the diagram and a mention in the text of the diagram.



I've read "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" and am now aware of the issues related to one riser. The boiler was installed sometime in the late 80's so it has been this way for a while without any apparent issues.



I do plan on getting the near boiler piping corrected after this heating season. I've been obsessing over the risers and want to know if I should let it go and just use the one that is already piped. The other take off has a plug and I really don't want to try getting it out after 20+ years. I'm already having a tough time getting the plug out of the skimming port. I've put more force than I wanted on that one trying to break it free in order to clean the water. It didn't budge. But, that's a different post for a different thread.



-Bob

crash2009

"Plan B"

I have noticed 2 boiler risers on that type of boiler also.  As you mentioned  there are a number of reasons why there should be 2, most importantly to help keep the water in the boiler. 

The reality is that the boiler has been that way for, I think you said 20 yrs.  There is a lot of stuff cooked into those threads, the skimmer and the other riser tapping.  They both will be very difficult to remove.  The possibility exists that the boiler may crack during removal.  This means that if it cracks, you may have to replace the end section, if you can find one, for a 20 yr old boiler.  You may have to replace the entire boiler, and do a rushed job that you will not be happy with in the future. 

Mine was just 6 yrs old when it was disassembled, the professional I hired to do it informed me of the risk (cracked section), one crack and its all over.  I assumed the risk.  It was June.  I had all summer to go into "plan B".  We got lucky.

You have the books right?  Start your "Plan B" and when it's ready, see if you get lucky with "Plan A"

   

David Nadle

Let it go

Two risers help equalize the pressure across the boiler, keeping the waterline level. For narrower boilers this isn't so important. That's probably why your manual allows only one riser. You mentioned "no apparent issues," so why the obsessing? Insulate the mains and maybe pipe the safety valve closer to the floor first.

Rod

"If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix IT!"

Hi- I agree with David. If your system has worked satisfactorily all these years I wouldn't mess around with it.  There is very little "up side" and a lot of potential "downside" to do so.

He also mentioned insulating your pipes. This would be a beneficial thing to do and would carry over to the next boiler when you have to replace the present one.

- Rod

ryanr256

Obsess

It's just my personality. In the old days I would be called a perfectionist, nowadays it's OCD. Whatever the label, I have the tendency to "want to make things right".



My plan is to use the union on the riser for the repipe and not mess with the tapping on the boiler. I think I can do what I need to do without having to mess with the tapping. The repipe won't be until Spring, so I have a few months to think about it. :-)



The pic is an older one, before I started correcting the issues. I've got the mains and take offs insulated now. The difference is noticeable. I've also installed a 0 - 3 PSI gauge and hacked the pressuretrol to cut out at 1.5 and back in at .5 (or close). Before I modified it, it wasn't cutting out until after 3 PSI even though the cut in on the scale was .5 and the differential was at 1. The system is a long way from where we started. I still have to try to clean a couple radiator vents that are hissing.



I'm anxious to compare the heating bills (natural gas) for this years to last year. I want to see if our actual usage goes down. I think it will.



-Bob