post install skim

mdmhh256

Just had my 30+ year old utica gas boiler replaced by another utica. local firm that does a lot of boiler work and has a good rep. Install looks good, steel piping around the boiler that seems to line up with documentation on Utica website. As they wrapped up the job I asked about skimming and was told they did that. Several days later I see some black gunk at the top of the water line in the sight glass, and when boiler was running some water dripping/running into the glass from above. Called them back to ask about reskim and was told to let it run a couple of weeks (weather has been warm so far) and they would come back and drain and refill, no mention of skimming from what looks like a tapping port. Based on what I am reading I am not sure that is the right approach. Any advice ?

ethicalpaul

Skimming usually or often or always requires multiple "sessions" because it takes time for the oils to make their way into the boiler. Black gunk floating in the gauge glass is a clear sign that more skimming needs to be done.

Look in your boiler's manual which they should have left with you to see what Utica recommends.

mattmia2

Is there currently some sort of nipple and cap or valve in the skim port? If it is just plugged they probably didn't skim it.

BobC

It's best to vot skim until the boiler has run a week ot two. This helps get any oild in new pipe down to the boiler where skimming can float it out of the boiler skim port.

As said abobe it can take a few skimming sessions to get all the oil up and this may noy ne imclufed in the install price.

Bob

Neild5

Our boiler came with instructions written by the installer, in the first 6 weeks I had to skim it 4 times. He had valves clearly tagged and the skimmer line is long enough to safely drin to a floor drain.

mdmhh256

There are two 2" pipes coming out of the boiler and running up to the header. One side has an "L", the other a "T" with a plug in it (see pic). Utica manual seems a bit much for me as it states "Fire burners to maintain water temperature of 180-200°F." Seems to be above my pay grade ? From other (non Utica specific) discussions on skimming I can just get boiler hot, wait for pressure to drop, then remove the plug and slowly feed water in and drain from the "T". Thoughts ? Also, how to tell when enough skimming has been done ?

mattmia2

Use the disconnect switch to turn it on and off. should not heat it to the point that it starts steaming so it won't build pressure. you can heat it with the cap off. Look carefully at the manual, some boilers require that you reduce the skim port with a fitting to raise the height of the water above where the sections join together.

mattmia2

Also look at the pipe sizes in the manual for the header and risers, that reducer and smaller size riser may not be allowed.