Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Steam boilers & chemicals

Barry Bowen
Barry Bowen Member Posts: 2
in THE MAIN WALL
I have a Weil Mclain steam boiler 1.4mbh it originally had a 25 gal condensate pump as the boiler feed connected to the LWCO and the make-up H2O I called W/M to verify proper operation and now it has a 50 gal boiler feed pump and a proper condensate pumps to replace the broken return lines in the floor.My boss said that "we screwed up and now the boiler will flood and etc." Dave @ W/M tech support said we did it right and should be ok. Now the problem my "boss" want's to install a chemical pump from state chemical However W/M says that they don't recommend chemicals and I'm in the middle and the customer believes W/M. Any help would be great.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Weil Mclain

    The sections of the boiler are put together with rubber O rings , and you have to take care with what you add to the boiler water . I believe even oil based thread sealant isnt recommended with these boilers . What an amazing boiler it would be with steel or iron push nipples .
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,385
    Barry, follow W-M's directions

    they know their boilers better than your boss does. I believe using any kind of chemical will void their warranty.

    Speaking of that condensate pump- is it really needed?

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Barry Bowen
    Barry Bowen Member Posts: 2


    I had to put the condensate pumps in to bypass two broken return lines that are buried in a 2' concrete floor and church deacon didn't want to dig it up, and the returns are below grade so both ITT & W/M both agree that this is the way to go, but thanks for your response, the added back-up will be nice to take to both the owners & the "boss"
  • George_10
    George_10 Member Posts: 580
    chemicals

    I find it hard to believe that a steam boiler manuf. is not suggesting any chemicals for the boiler. The bare minimum would be to use softned water to remove calcium from the make-up water and the condensate needs to be pH buffered to protect the condensate piping and pumps. I would contact WM again to be sure.

    I have seen untreated steam boilers last about 6 months to a year before the calcium scale has build up to a point to cause boiler tube failure. The cost of chemicals to extend the life of the boiler will cost far less than a re-tube job every couple of years.

    My two cents. Scott
This discussion has been closed.

Categories