Proud owner of 1921 farm house with steam heat...

Dave DeFord

about which I know next to nothing. I have several questions:

1. the radiator in the bathrooom is not getting hot. I replaced the vent (not sure what size)and the problem did not go away. I have also noted that the entire system is uninsulated and the bathroom is the last radiator on the loop. I have noticed that there is a large green vent at the end of the loop (just prior to the vertical pipe that takes the condensate to the boiler. I will insulate the pipe this weekend. I guess my question is if the insulating does not work where should I look next. BTW this is a 1 pipe system.

2. I have noticed that the combustion vent tube from the burner is parallel to the ground for about 4 feet and then enters the chimney. It seems to me that all of the other vent stacks I have see that require a horizontal run go slightly up hill. Should I change this one?

3. The controls on this boiler consist of a Honeywell Pressurestat, a McDonnell-Miller PS 850-24 low water cutoff and a Hydrolevel VXT-24 water feeder. All of this is controlling a Weil-Mclain PEG-50 Series 3 boiler. It would appear as if the sight glass is either plugged or something as there is no water in it although I have added water manually however I did notice some condensation in the sight glass. I didn't want to add too much water as I didn't want to flood the system. I also don't believe that the low water cutoff and the auto feed are working as there are no LEDs lit on the PS-750 and the test light doesn't light when I press the button. I have also noticed that when I raised the pressure on the pressurestat to about 2psi and added some water that the system seemed to work better. I am wondering how I should check to make sure that the sight glass is working (do they clog?) and how much water the boiler should hold.

4. There is a valve on the right side of the boiler just above ground level that looks like it would be a drain valve, does anyone know if that is where it would be on this boiler?

5 There is also what looks to be a sillcock about 6-8 inches up on the left side of this boiler that has a short piece of garden hose connected to it. Would that be the blow down? If it is, exactly what does that do on this system as the PS-750 claims that is doesn't need to be blown down.

6. There are also valves on the top and the bottom of the sight glass. Are these so the sight glass can be removed for cleaning? Mine is very rusty.

7. Lastly I have Dan's book A Pocket Full of Steam Problems (With Solutions) but frankly it is a little advanced for my knowledge. Does Dan have a primer in steam heating or is there one by another author that I should also get?

8. Does anyone know of a good steam boiler company in the Ann Arbor/Jackson Michigan area?

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give me.


Dave DeFord

P.S. This boiler is feed from a well that has hard water (120 ppm) with a good deal (5ppm) of iron and a PH of about 6.5.

Dana

You absolutely need to find a service company that knows what they are doing with steam. Then see if they want to answer all your questions.

Dave DeFord

I know I need a contractor..

I also don't have a clue as to where to find one. I looked on Dan's list and the nearest one was 100 miles away. I called the local Weil-McLain distributor and he said that just about anyone would work but no one returns my calls. Just as importantly I called Weil- McLain and was told by them that I needed to make sure that the person I hired knew steam well. The reason for most of my questions is so I can evaluate the contractors. Any suggestions?

Bryan_5

Dave,
This is the primar you were looking for its called "We got Steam Heat" It just came out.
Bryan
http://www.heatinghelp.com/shopcart/product.cfm?category=2-109

Unknown

Sure

Go to your local large plumbing and heating supply house. Ask for the sales rep that knows how to measure and quote a steam system. Once you meet him, ask him who does a good job with steam. Accept that he will be busy. Go meet the guy at his place of business, and see if you like him. Catch him a few minutes after he opens, then get him to tell you how busy he is. Make an appointment for later to really talk.

Sounds mean, but that's how persistant customers do it. Then pay as soon as they bill you. You'll have a great relationship.

Noel

Dave DeFord

I was also considering

"The Lost Art of Steam Heat". I have good mechanical abilities (nothing on a car scares me) and enough tools to disassemble and reassemble anything I've seen on this system. So I guess I want to know should I buy both books or just the "Lost Art" so I can get up to speed. Thanks Again.

Dale

Buy the new one first

I would buy the new book "We got steam heat" first, makes lost art easier to understand, IMO. I bought the new book and really like it, Dan like most of us gets smarter as he gets older. On the vent connector, assuming the factory pipe is on the boiler the horizontal should slope at least 1/4" per foot up to the common vent = chimney. The key to atmospheric cat. one venting is connector rise. Whomever you choose to work on this system for you should already be familiar with these terms. I like the other post on querying the supply house steam guy, he does not want any more unpleasant problems to fix and wants you to go to someone who will do it right the first time and who will not cause him any extra work.

Bryan_5

Dave,
In my opinion I would get them both. The Lost Art is very detailed. Read "We got Steam heat" first to get a feel for it. Then read the Lost Art. Dan is an excellent writter and I think you will find yourself not being able to put them down.
Bryan

Dave DeFord

I bought Lost Art yesterday..

if I still can't understand it I'll get the other book. I would also like to thank everyone here for their help and will let you know how I make out this weekend. I would also like to thank Mark at ITT (McDonnell & Miller and Hoffman) for some pointers on why the bathroom is not heating and explaining how their 1A vents work. But I still need to find a contractor to work out the boiler issues as I don't want to take a risk for seveal thousand dollars. Guess that's my project for today's lunch.

Mad Dog

It would behoove you and your steam system

to have the nearest "Find A Contractor" guy (just make sure he knows the steam) come out for as consult AFTER you read Lost Art and The New Book GOT STEAM heat. Mad Dog

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