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Re-Piping Needed

gypsy
gypsy Member Posts: 84
Hello Wall, Im looking for a steam Guru who can fix this system in central MA.


Comments

  • Paul S_3
    Paul S_3 Member Posts: 1,261
    edited May 2016
    @Charlie from wmass can help you....whats going on with it?
    ASM Mechanical Company
    Located in Staten Island NY
    Servicing all 5 boroughs of NYC.
    347-692-4777
    ASMMECHANICALCORP@GMAIL.COM
    ASMHVACNYC.COM
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/asm-mechanical-company
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    Heat out of the radiators when the boiler heats the indirect. Also note the 007 circulator.
    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: 16,796
    That's a Dunkirk, and as usual some knucklehead reduced the size of the steam outlet. One of these days I'll see one with a full 2-1/2" riser and header, that we didn't repipe, and I won't know how to react......................
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Dave0176gypsy
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    The op has been dealing with this for years. Several contractors aside from me have looked at this and all say it is piped correctly.
    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
    gypsy
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    Nice near-boiler venting job there.
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,722
    If Charlie has already looked at it you already have your guru. Just cut him loose on it.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    gypsy
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    It is not as simple as that. But progress is coming.
    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
    gypsy
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited May 2016

    The op has been dealing with this for years. Several contractors aside from me have looked at this and all say it is piped correctly.

    It's amazing how many contractors are not capable of reading and following a piping diagram. You can't fix stupid.

    Here is the manual, containing the piping diagram:

    http://www.dunkirk.com/sites/default/files/3870.pdf

    Note that it says "Pipe Full Size Same As Boiler Tapping (2-1/2")". It's right there in black and white. What part of that don't they understand?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    gypsy
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    Don't you have to open the boiler packet to be able to read that? It's sad..........Intentionally, or unintentionally, it's taking advantage of people. Does every homeowner have to know how their new boiler should be piped? I guess I know the answer to that. I know things, about stuff I never wanted to learn, because every trade has attempted to screw me every time I've tried to pay someone else to do work.
    gypsy
  • AMservices
    AMservices Member Posts: 610
    How contractor's can get by doing whatever they want and leaving all those problems behind for the customer is something I don't understand and never will.
    Every boiler manual I've ever looked at has different specifications on how the manufacturer wants each model piped. Steam piping in these manual usually give a bad, better, best options for the installer to choose, but this just guy just tried his best with his imagination.
    How this contractor dreamed up the placement of those main air vents looks like a nightmare to people that understands steam operations.
    Steam systems can be the greatest heating system to have when it's done right. Low maintenance costs, extremely dependable, balanced, next to nothing for electricity and when it's taken care of, it can last a 100 years.

    If your in side the 495 belt I can help.
    Also take a look at what's possible for the lucky home owners with steam.
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-5hKw5FhaA4RndtYjcxOWFSYWM
    gypsy
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,416
    edited May 2016
    A lot of work went into piping that wrong :smiley: I love the drip...connected to the dry return...above the waterline...with a vent
    gypsy
  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,948
    But... but.. then you need a 2-1/2" threader..
    Home depot doesn't sell those :D
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    I have seen dozens of boilers with vents at the headers of boilers. Note they are usually on counter flow systems and in either Worcester County or Hampden County Massachusetts. One side of this house is counterflow the other is parallel flow.
    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
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,589

    I have seen dozens of boilers with vents at the headers of boilers. Note they are usually on counter flow systems and in either Worcester County or Hampden County Massachusetts. One side of this house is counterflow the other is parallel flow.

    A bunch off Massachusetts licensed contractors installing boilers wrong eh?

    It's a shame more of them aren't like you.
    Then again, I guess that goes for the whole country.

    Curious, can you thread 2 1/2" ? My threader only goes to 2".
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    edited May 2016
    I am able to thread to 6" with a geared threader and to 4" with my larger power threader.
    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
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    There is no license currently to install boilers under 5mbtu in Massachusetts. Just for the water and fuels going into it. So the point is we need a hydronic heating license.
    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
    HillySWEIZman
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,589
    edited May 2016

    There is no license currently to install boilers under 5mbtu in Massachusetts. Just for the water and fuels going into it. So the point is we need a hydronic heating license.

    I guess because Diesel, NG and LPG are dangerous but ripping people off isn't.

    An improperly piped steamer is often a fuel hog though..........
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    The original idea was if you could pass the test to get the plumbing license you could install a boiler according to the installation manual. We do have sheet metal licensing and oil burner technician certification.
    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
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,589
    edited May 2016

    The original idea was if you could pass the test to get the plumbing license you could install a boiler according to the installation manual. We do have sheet metal licensing and oil burner technician certification.

    Yeah,
    Sheet metal license comes in handy when installing a package boiler. Especially direct vent ones.

    These guys take 100% assembled boilers, and can't even install them right. Imagine if they had to actually fabricate something!? Maybe the guy can bend him self up a chair using a brake so he can sit his arse down and read the instruction manual first?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    gypsy
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    Sheet metal license is for warm air furnaces and metal roofing.
    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
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,589
    edited May 2016
    I don't mean to insult anyone but this keeps happening.
    It happens on steamers, hot water boilers and even on forced air furnaces and it's all 100% due to laziness.

    It's not just the lowest bidder either, alleged high quality contractors do botch jobs constantly and there's no excuse.

    Everyone makes mistakes, I make mistakes, I've told you some of them, but these aren't mistakes.

    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    gypsy
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,589

    Sheet metal license is for warm air furnaces and metal roofing.

    Does that include modern duct work that is more like pressed fiberglass and flex duct? :)
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    I find most of it is the blind leading the blind for generations.
    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
  • unclejohn
    unclejohn Member Posts: 1,833
    looked at a boiler that needed replacing and told the engineer at the school that it had to be re piped because the equalizer tee was either too high or too low. He said that another company had not changed any thing on the other boiler that was identical too this one. So we went and looked at that boiler that was replaced 6 years ago. There was a puddle of water under it. The installation manual was right there on top of the boiler still in the unopened plastic bag. There a reason they give specific measurements like 27" off floor and 24" min from top.
    gypsy
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    Metal roofing? My last job, was repairing and adjusting portable machines that formed standing seam roofing , and gutters. I'd love to know how they qualify you for a license to do metal roofing, when the application is specific to the manufacturer.
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    You need to understand how to follow directions.
    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
    gypsyZman
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,589

    You need to understand how to follow directions.

    So then that sheet metal license means you can literally install anything that comes with directions?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    I was joking.
    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
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,589

    I was joking.

    Oh.

    Ha, Ha, Ha.

    :)
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • gypsy
    gypsy Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2016
    Thank you everyone, I have a fix lined up.