gunked up coil

Chris_10

Have an amtrol boiler mate that has lost its ability to transfer heat to the domestic hot water. Does it make sense to replace just the coil or is it time to replace the whole tank (tank about 15 yr. old).... Thanks for any input.

tim from Reed Wright

sidearm tank

replace it, not worth putting coil in it as the tank probably has a fair amount of corrosion on it.

ed wallace

gunked up coil

replace it

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Al Letellier

boilermate coil

Coming from an old plumber turned heat pro....don't just treat the symptoms, cure the problem too. Find out what clogged the coil in the first place and offer your customer the opportunity to cure it once and for all. Some form of water treatment may be called for and the next heater may last a lot longer. "Full" service is what it's all about!!

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Brian (Tankless) Wood

I agree completely

Al.

We aren't "change parts till it's fixed, mechanics", anyone can do that. Find the problem, fix it, and sleep well at night. Jimminy Cricket's conscience follows me everywhere, and constantly sits on my soldier. The soldier that seeks out and anihilates dishonesty.

"Wherever you go, there you are" and one has to live with oneself, doesn't one?

Water conditioning is "where it's at".

Honour, ethics, craftsmanship, and the ability to look oneself in the mirror every morning mean a lot to me.

Wow! Gotta go.

Al Letellier

ethics

ATTA BOY Brian!!!!!!!!
I come from the old school and that's how I would want ot be treated if I hired a professional. I know we're not alone out there in our ethics and standards, but it seems that we're in a declining minority. Too many younger guys in this business are not seeing the whole picture.
I have been to many seminars and lectures about "how much should I charge", but have never heard anyone say "you have to be good enough at what you do to charge that kind of money for what you do".

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

keith

be patient

I have attended many a trade seminar or classroom setting where the younger guys are picking up the technology and thought process alot faster than some of us " older guys". I say be patient the ones that want to be in this business may not realize what they are in yet. My desire to find out " how come" didn't come to me at first.
No matter, The enthusiasm for what we do is infectuos to those who want to participate. For those that want to simply drag a pay check out of it, thats all it will ever offer them.

Sorry for the sermon. Swap the tank out, I agree. Keith

Chris_10

Ethics , standards and a coil

Thanks Guys, couldn't resist the subject title. A new tank is in order. Why it gunked up i just chaulked it up to age, gave me somethig to think about.

Tom M.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree.

I have to disagree with replacing the tank. This is a tank that was built to last a lifetime and the homeowner paid a large price difference over a tankless coil or gas or electric heater to have it installed. I know that the newer model has some better features but if you call an Amtrol rep, they do have a procedure for cleaning the coil in place. You can clean the coil and deal with the water treatment issue to prevent the coil from gunking up again as opposed to throwing out the entire tank and protecting the new tank. Your solution could be as simple as an Aquapure AP 430 (http://www.aquapure.ws/image/spec_sheets/ap430.gif) (they work great on problem tankless coils) or just come back and clean the coil in another 15 years(not too bad as far as service intervals go). I had to clean one that was 10 years old and it cost two hours labor and a 3/4" coupling.

Maybe, you could price it both ways and let the homeowner weigh the cost vs. the advantages (more efficient coil and control on the new one). I'm sorry but I hate to see something that's built to last get tossed because of a dirty coil.

Tom M.