Anyone near Detroit?

Overwhelmed_2

Two steam-related things happened to me today. I found out my ~10 year old 210000 Burnham Independence boiler is cracked (so that's why I couldn't find the leak!), and I ordered a copy of We Got Steam Heat. Which I'll try to understand.



I think I really need to find someone local to help me figure out what all I need to do now. Anyone know any pros around Detroit? I'm a senior citizen and a recent widow so of course this is just what I needed ...



My house is fairly large, 3 stories, built in 1926. When we moved in the boiler was gas-- had been converted from coal I think. My husband had this Burnham put in by a commercial installer he'd worked with. I suspect it's oversized (though my steel Fenestra windows are leaky) and I don't think it was ever piped properly. And now I see there are steam boilers rated in the 90%s efficiency and I don't know whether I should consider those-- not that I can afford anything, but oh well.



I've been reading this forum trying to understand a bit, and I fear I'm mostly confusing myself more. In ~25 years of use there was little if any service to the old boiler, and it seemed to work well enough. In the end its burners were all gunked up and that (and fuel bills) is why it was replaced. I wasn't in the house while the work was being done, so I don't know if wet returns (if I even have wet returns) were cleaned out or replaced at that time. Yes, I am floundering ...



It seems you all are from out east. Anyone from around Detroit at all?

Hap_Hazzard

The closest one I know is in Chicago.

His name is Dave Bunnell, aka The Steam Whisperer. If he can't help you he might be able to recommend someone.



http://www.heatinghelp.com/professional/105/The-Steam-Whisperer-Boiler-Professionals-Inc

http://www.thesteamwhisperer.net

Ban

Yes,

However you will need to know everything you can in searching for a company and you will likely need to tell them what to do. Feel free to message me, I have dealt with a few companies around here to get 3 new steam boilers installed recently. Unfortunately nobody likes drop headers or proper near boiler piping or doing a EDR check. Actually, it seems most companies want to replace your boiler with the exact same thing, or step up the BTU's by one level and install it with no regard to the physics of steam. I also have Fenestra windows!



Some of our installs in Midtown (and still lots of things to nit pick).

Steamhead

Those jobs look good to me

good enough to put in a Find a Contractor ad.



No, Dan didn't ask me to post this- but since we're seeing requests for steam pros in Detroit, it makes sense for you to associate your company with that area, for when someone does a search.



It works for us.

Unknown

Ban..

Love those drop header boilers! One thing gets me... the gas pipe on floor to boiler.. not allowed in my part, tripping hazard ..

Steve_210

Very nice

Job Indeed. One Question though I was always told never to use elbows on the equalizer.

Maybe that was incorrect can Anyone Clarify.

Overwhelmed_2

Significance of Ads?

Steamhead,



Do those listings for contractors mean anything other than someone has decided to pay for a listing? I do see one listing on the other side of town from me (and metro Detroit is huge), but not in an area I associate with having much in the way of steam heated homes. Also I don't know how to tell whether those folks are on the forums at all.



You, I'd hire in a minute!

Steamhead

Technically

your assumption is correct, in that there really isn't any screening. This has come up before, and Dan says he just doesn't have the manpower. But for what it's worth, if someone places a FAC ad, it should mean they have an interest in the systems and equipment we discuss here. I really don't recall any situation where that wasn't the case.



Thanks for the kind words, but I think the travel time would be rather costly ;-)

Steamhead

Only stipulation I've seen

is not to create a water pocket in the header or equalizer. Dan has some diagrams in the near-boiler piping chapter of Lost Art, but I can't find my copy at the moment to give the page number. We prefer elbowing below the waterline, but sometimes you just don't have enough room.

Steamhead

We still see

wet return lines run that way, and once in a while a gas pipe (but not for more than 3 feet or so). Not my favorite way, but our inspectors pass them.

ttekushan_3

Fenestra Windows

On the window subject, it's worth noting Fenestra steel windows are direct descendants of the Crittal window of the UK.



I gasketed my Truscon steel windows and stormed them up. Not drafty anymore. They seal tight and are very quiet now. But still, at -13 degrees a good drapery is nice to have!



Scroll down to the comment on casement window tricks to see as description of gaskets I made for mine. http://www.bobyapp.com/blog/2010/01/stell-casement-windows



Scroll down to Appropriate Types of Weather Stripping for Metal Windows. This is from US Department of the Interior, Preservation Brief 13. http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/13-steel-windows.htm



And I'm not associated in any way with these people, but I may give these a closer look, as an alternative to the gaskets I made. http://metalstrips.accurateweatherstrip.com/viewitems/window-weatherstrips/windows-series-no-100-all-types-of-metal-casemen-2?



I know it's off the boiler subject but it's on the heating demand subject! Since I did the attic insulation and rehabbed the windows, the drafts are gone even in high winds (even during Sandy last year) and the proof is that the heat used to run nearly continuously at 0 degrees outside, but this year at -13 it was still cycling off.

Steve_210

Great info

Thanks again

I will check out the lost art for the diagrams

ChicagoCooperator

Fenestra

I have Fenestra windows too - they were manufactured in Detroit, so apt in this case.