Contractor in Grand Rapids, MI area?

JSR

Hello All. We recently purchased a 1920's house in Zeeland, MI, not far from Grand Rapids, MI, with a two-pipe, natural gas steam system. I am educating myself on steam heat by reading Dan's books.

The boiler has started leaking and needs to be replaced. The heating guy used by the previous owners wants to size a new boiler based on a heat-loss calculation for the house. He measured the outside of the house and said he had a computer program that would size the boiler. Needless to say, I am not using him. Does anyone know of a knowledgeable, reliable steam heating contractor in the Grand Rapids area who can not only properly size the boiler and replace it, but can also just help me evaluate the entire system. For example, there doesn't appear to be an F&T trap at the end of the steam main where it connects to the dry return. From what I have read, that appears to be necessary to efficient functioning of the system. Also the radiator steam traps are over 15 years old and need to be evaluated/replaced. Thanks in advance for any help any of you can offer. (I did check the Find a Contractor section on this website and the only two Michigan contractors are on the east side of the state - we are on the west side.)

BobC

Post some pictures of the piping around the boiler and any main vents you might find and anything that loops like a loop seal. After looking at the pictures somebody can tell what kind of 2 pipe system you have.

Bob

Steamhead

And, look for manufacturer's names on the original radiator valves and traps if still there. Also, any hardware you find in the piping near the boiler. This is likely a Vapor system, and each manufacturer's Vapor system had its own twist on the basic concept, so this info will help a lot.

JSR

Thanks Steamhead and BobC. I posted some pics and a description of my steam system under a new discussion thread entitled Help With Two Pipe System.