Draining residential boiler in spring

Kev82

After the winter and not using heat for 3 weeks, should I completely drain the boiler and piping?

EdTheHeaterMan

Does your boiler use steam for the radiators or does it use water and a circulator pump?

No in either case but some extra stuff for the steam boiler might be a good idea. If you are not sure than post a photo of the boiler and we will know.

Kev82

Yes it is a steam radiotor system. I treat the water in the boiler during the heating season.

Jamie Hall

IF you think you have a lot of sludge in the bottom, there'd be no harm to blowing that down — but then refill it and run it to full song to get the oxygen out of the water. Otherwise leave it alone.

ethicalpaul

If you treat the water, there shouldn't be hardly any mud in there. Drain off like a quart max and see how it looks. If it starts to flow pretty clear there's no sense draining any more IMO. I'm in full agreement with Jamie's "leave it alone" advice!

Out of curiosity, what is your treatment methodology?

patrykrebisz

No. The insides of the boiler will remain moist for many weeks.

DanHolohan

Please read this:
https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/what-to-do-with-boilers-during-the-summer/

Don_175

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1897016#Comment_1897016

I just read that article. So, he was saying to remove the water in a steam boiler? Ours sits unused all summer. I always thought it should be left alone.

DanHolohan

I would leave it alone.

Intplm.

@DanHolohan

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DanHolohan

Thanks! I never took a class, but I’ve read a lot of books, mostly novels. I have a huge collection of brief descriptions that inspire me. For example:

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Fizz

Just to revisit what to do with steam boilers in the off season. For years I never did anything with boilers as they supplied domestic hot water, but we just installed a new Peerless without domestic hot water. I've read where some recommendations are to fill with water to top of boiler(water lay-up), to empty it, to leave it alone and run it for about 10 minutes to keep internal parts lubed. What is best method?