New Gas Steam Boiler fitted to Old existing steel pipes

randers2015

Brand new Steam boiler was put in with old steel pipes; water that came out was very dirty ; what does the old rust do to the new boiler that got fed with rusty dirty water. I was told that is ok. Really? What is the worst-case scenario?

Pipes look o.k. on the outside. I just need to clean and paint them.

EdTheHeaterMan

I don't understand the reason for your query, I believe you had a reputable contractor install the new boiler. The rusty water from the old pipes must have been drained out of the system in order to disconnect the old boiler. That would leave no rusty water left in the pipes. If there was any muddy rusty sludge left in the pipes, I'm sure a reputable contractor would have flushed that junk out of the old pipes.

When the new boiler gets new water in it, that water will make its own rust over time. If you are concerned with that, I might recommend that you have the wet returns flushed out every spring. Then fill the boiler with water above the water line for the summer. then at start up in the fall, lower the water level to the proper water line and operate normally.

Or you can do what most folks do, Just keep operating it until there is a noticeable problem. then get that fixed.

By the way... Did you ever get an Energy Star sticker to put on your new boiler? Just askin' for a friend.

Mad Dog_2

Hmmmm. Mad Dog 🐕 

WMno57

You should steam clean the insides of the old pipes . Was the near boiler piping replaced?

pecmsg

Please post pictures of this changeout.

Jamie Hall

And the best way to steam clean the inside of the old pipes is... run the boiler. Piping in a steam system which is above the boiler water line -- all the mains and, if you have, dry returns, does get a light film of rust. It's unlikely that you will have a problem with them, unless there is the odd low spot in a return which traps a little water. The pipes below the water line, however, do tend to accumulate rust and gunk. If one is concerned, the best way to handle that is to flush it out with a hose -- but that assumes the pipes are arranged to do that, which they usually aren't. Otherwise, sooner or later, you may find that one of the old wet returns has developed leaks, and then the best thing to do is to simply replace it.

EdTheHeaterMan

WMno57 said:

You should steam clean the insides of the old pipes . Was the near boiler piping replaced?

I would get a steam boiler and run that steam thru the system. That should steam clean those pipes, dont you think @WMno57 ?

I mentioned that to my son one day, he commented how clean the old steam mains looked on a job where we removed an old boiler. I told him that I had them steam cleaned before we removed them. He looked at me with that adoring glare that said A$$???? without saying a word.

Big Ed_4

Instead of painting the pipe , insulate them .

Oil may be a problem after a insulation which is harder to remove ..

If the water turns muddy , it is a indication of steam leaks ...