New steam install. Does it look right?

dpok69 · September 2018

Be gentle, this is my first post. I just had a new boiler put in, and would like to know how the piping configuration looks. I specifically mentioned to the plumber about adding a main vent and a return vent and also pay attention to proper configuration of the Hartfard loop. According to the plumber the original install had the hartfard loop piping too low and contributed to the failure of a 8 year old Burham boiler. I did not have a main vent and return vent as pictured on my old system.
Unfortunatly this plumber has collected 99% of my money and does not seem motivated to finish the job, so I had to skim and drain the system myself to get the boiler to work properly and set the pressure from 5 psi back down to 1.5 psi. Any recommendation of any knowledgeable heating guy in Nassua county, NY who can overlook my whole system would also be appreciated.

Fred · September 2018

Not good. Go to the "Find a Contractor" tab above and put your zip code in. There are some great Steam guys on here who are in the NY area. That vent on the top of your riser, from the Main is worthless. It will close as soon as steam hits it. and the one on the Hartford loop also serves no purpose. You want the vents at the end of the Mains, after the last Radiator or on the Dry Return before it drops down and becomes a Wet return. The goal is for those vents to remain open to push air out of the mains, which means they need to be installed after the last radiator run out. Also, the water supply should have been installed in the wet return below the Hartford loop and the Pressure relief valve should be vertical. The Header is barely a Header. Where is the Pressuretrol and the Low Water Cut-off? They are essential Safety controls. It all just needs to be redone. Sorry

gerry gill · September 2018

well, thats a strange looking hartford loop.

Danny Scully · September 2018

Good evening @dpok69. My name is Danny Scully and I operate Scully’s Plumbing with my brother and father in the Nassau County area of Long Island. This is how a properly piped New Yorker looks. Give our office a call at 516-887-1122. We’d love to help.

dpok69 · September 2018

Thank you Scully, it looks like you are near by me in Franklin Square. I will give you guys a call.

dpok69 · September 2018

All the controlls are facing the wall, which is another blunder by the plumber. The original boiler also had a similar header and was installed by "professionals" under contract with my then new home. This new plumber had me think he knew what he was doing and I put my trust in him. Thanks for the mini lesson on vents Fred. I never wanted to be a steam expert, but it seems the professionals I dealt with can't get it right.

Dave0176 · September 2018

dpok69 said:
All the controlls are facing the wall, which is another blunder by the plumber. The original boiler also had a similar header and was installed by "professionals" under contract with my then new home. This new plumber had me think he knew what he was doing and I put my trust in him. Thanks for the mini lesson on vents Fred. I never wanted to be a steam expert, but it seems the professionals I dealt with can't get it right.

Yeah could definitely be piped much better, and the plumber should have installed a Weil-McLain EG boiler as the controls are on the left side.

Lance · September 2018

Wow! Does this need help. Line voltage wiring is not to code. Flue pipe needs attention, cold feed on a boiler relief valve tee will corrode it over time?
I'll bet the boiler mfg manual may give you some info. It is there isn't it?
I've seen this work before. Lacks tools, like sheet metal snips, pipe threaders, cutters, hammer and screwdriver for securing wires and hangers. Or maybe it was lack of knowledge??? If any of my people did this it would be removed and redone properly.