Basic questions so I can spend my money

Tinker

A little info first my boiler is a sears labeled model 229-962181 (no idea who really made it) its out put BTU is 128000 on a hot water system.

I think it is a forced hot water system with the pump on the return side. There is an expansion tank in basement above the boiler.

The house was built in 1901 and the boiler I'm guessing is post WWII.

Question one.

The radiators have been painted several times. Should I strip the paint? If I do what do I repaint with? Does the paint affect the efficacy of the heat transfer?

Question two.

I don’t think the pump is working? Is there an easy way to tell with out removing it from the system? (It is a sealed unit)

Question 3

I suspect there has not been any maintenance in the last 10 years. What can / should a homeowner do on an annual bases?

Question 4

There is no drain valve that I recognize. Am I just missing it or could it really not be there?

Thanks for tolerating my ignorance on this subject.

Tinker

One more question

The original flue was a brick chimney at some time it was removed and is now dubble wall flue pipe. The flue pipe gets to hot touch even on the second floor.

What is this telling me about the health of the system if that much heat is going up the flue?

Tinker

One more question

The original flue was a brick chimney at some time it was removed and is now dubble wall flue pipe. The flue pipe gets to hot touch even on the second floor.

What is this telling me about the health of the system if that much heat is going up the flue?

Earthfire

Where

where are you located ? hit find a contractor and have somebody check your system out. If the system has not been serviced in 10 + - years it needs some tender loving care at the minimum. Boiler cleaning , burner service and adjustment, flue inspection and cleaning, expansion tank checked for proper operation, etc. To bring a system up to proper operating condition after long term neglect takes a competent professional touch.

heretic

Questions 1 & 2

I'll just take the really easy ones...

Question 1:
As a great start on this topic, see : http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=38

Question 2:
Put your hand on the circulator. You can easily feel if it is running. Odds are that you would hear it as well, but perhaps not over your burner.

Best of luck.

Leon

is

this gas or oil.how do you know its doublewall pipe and not triplewall.

Tinker

Gas

Due to remodling on the second floor and attic the flue is exposed. It is HVAC type B gas vent. The boiler runs on natural gas. ( looks about 6 inch O.D. )

Tinker

Ouch 167 miles to the contractor in the data base.

Tinker

Thanks

Thanks to all for sharing there time and knowldge. It really is aprriciated!