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Rob_7
Rob_7 Member Posts: 12
in THE MAIN WALL
Thanks all. I never work on anything except plain old copper pipe and cast iron sectionals with a few fin tube copper boilers here and there.
I've never "blown down" a hot water heating system. Just low water cutoffs, sight glasses, etc. on steam.

Comments

  • Rob_7
    Rob_7 Member Posts: 12
    hot water maint.

    Someone told me it's a good idea to drain down the hot water sytem boiler (and system) partly every year by opening the the boiler drain under pressure to get sludge out of the boiler.
    Doesn't this just add corrosion to the system by letting in fresh water with fresh O2?
    I've never heard of doing that.
    What's best, leave it alone, blow out a little through the bottom drain, or what?
  • ed wallace
    ed wallace Member Posts: 1,613
    hot waterboiler

    leave it alone draining any water adds air into system which then causes corrosion there are thousands of boilers that have never been drained of sludge that are working fine after 30 yrs

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  • ed wallace
    ed wallace Member Posts: 1,613
    hot waterboiler

    leave it alone draining any water adds air into system which then causes corrosion there are thousands of boilers that have never been drained of sludge that are working fine after 30 yrs

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  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,375
    Depends on

    what the boiler is connected to, and what type of fluid is in it. Tight systems of cast iron, steel and copper seem to go for years without a problem.

    If connected to rubber, epdm, pb, or other non barrier tube materials, it deserves a check every year or so. Monitor systems for small leaks that will require frequent makeup water, also. These will sneak up on you and present an expensive "redo" mess, from my experience.

    A glassful after the system has run for a bit should be sufficient for a water analysis on suspect systems. Glycoled systems definitely check yearly.

    I agree, the less you add fresh water the better. Don't mess with sucess :)

    hot rod

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    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
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