End of Season

Jamie

This is our first summer in our house which is heated by a gas-fired steam boiler. During the winter, we check the water level regularly and blow down the boiler when the water looks muggy. Now that we're approaching nice weather, is there anything that we need to do to the boiler to prepare it for a few months where it won't be used? Do I just turn the thermostat down all the way and wait until it starts getting colder to have it prepped for the winter? You guys are great! Thanks, Jamie

Unknown

There are two methods

to prepare and protect the boiler during the summer months. First would be to fill the boiler just up into the riser pipe on the top of the boiler. This will keep oxygen that may be migrating into the system from causing oxidation or corrosion of the cast iron at the normal water level. Be sure to drain it back down to the two-thirds level (NWL) of the gauge glass come fall.

Second would be to shut off the gas or pilot and drain the boiler down completely by the boiler drain. Leave the drain valve open to allow the boiler to dry out completely. Not a bad idea to flush the boiler once or twice also before draining completely. Come fall, fill it back up to NWL and relight the pilot.

Both methods are used commonly and are acceptable practices to assist in the longevity of the boiler castings. It would also be advisable to shut off power to boiler in both cases.

Glenn Stanton

Burnham Hydronics