System 2000 Frontier: What causes water in lines to have black water?

Eagle1jj

Hi, I'm new to this site. Frank and Lindy Plumbing of Westchester County, NY Installed a new System 2000 oil fired hot water system about 12 years ago. Now they are out of business. Every copper or steel pipe they installed leaked. Possibly because they didn't properly apply dope over the teflon tape. Yesterday a plumber replaced all the piping and fittings. When he dismantled the pipes, many showed signs of black water and a muddy substance which is probably rust residue. Is there any chemical I can add to the water to help clean out the system? Any help would be appreciated.

Jamie Hall

No chemical, really -- best idea is to flush them like mad. Then purge. Then install a good magnetic filter -- most of what you see is probably magnetite from the steel pipe, and a magnetic filter will trap that. Of course, you'll have to clean that from time to time.

hot_rod

I would flush it, then add a hydronic cleaner, run it hot for a day, flush out the cleaner and fill with good water

Good water would be below 12 gpg, low TDS see if the manufacturer has a water spec

Then add a hydronic conditioner to protect the cleaned metals

You can buy easy to use aerosol kits

Hopefully the system is leak free, you do not want to keep adding fresh water to a closed loop hydronic system. Especially one with  ferrous metals

Eagle1jj

What Hydronic cleaner and conditioner do you recommend? Appreciate your help. Thank you.

HVACNUT

Eagle1jj said:

What Hydronic cleaner and conditioner do you recommend? Appreciate your help. Thank you.

EK recommends 8 Way for the Frontier. 

hot_rod

What was it filled with originally?

I like the Rhomar or Fernox brands. they are blended specifically for hydronic work. You can get test kits to check the fluid every few years

Its wise to use the same brand cleaner as the inhibitor