Thanks for your help

Pension Lover

I've read some messages commenting about the conduct of those who participate in discussions on THE WALL. I'm one of those guys that the regulars are concerned about offending. While I appreciate that this community would even consider my feelings, please know that I have nothing but good things to say about you.

I'm a home owner, and thankful for all that I have learned from the people who take the time to post messages here on THE WALL. I find it remarkable that a place like this even exists. My brief history with THE WALL is worth telling, both as a tribute to the professionals and encouoragement to home owners like me.

Two years ago I knew nothing of hydronic heating systems. I mean to say, my knowledge was limited to the understanding that "I have one down there in the basement, and it seems to work". The thing was intalled in 1963, and I knew that sooner or later it would need attention. So I started reading. It was brochures and boiler ads at first. Then I read the dusty wiring diagrams I found stuffed behind a plywood board mounted on the wall in the boiler room. There were old, worn out gizmos sitting on a shelf down there too. I took them apart and put them back together. At some point along the way, I found an article in Fine Homebuilding magazine that made reference to a web site for people who worked with hot water heating systems . . . and there you were: www.heatinghelp.com.

That was eighteen months ago. Since then, I've learned that the old, worn out gizmos I found lying around were a Honeywell zone valve, an aquastat, and a broken low water cut off switch. I learned of Dan Holohan and the books he wrote. Three of which I bought and read thoroughly. (To the cheepskates out there - these books are a small price to pay in exchange for knowledge contained therein. To the professionals: there is no need to fear for your livelihood. My reading and personal experience has taught me that your profession can be raised to an artform and I have a greater appreciation for what you do every day.) I have used this forum to pose many questions and receive many answers as I learned how my 40 year old Crane boiler and all of its components are supposed to work.

In short, I didn't know doodly squat about hot water heating systems eighteen months ago, but last month, I completed the restoration work on my old system. As of this writing, my circulator has new self esteem since it was promoted to the ranks of those pupmping away. I have a nice collection of old, retired purge valves. Air has been cut out of the stampeding molecule herd, and sent to the big steel tank above. Many parts can be serviced without opening a drain, and wherever possible, maintianed while standing in the upright position.

I still "have one down there in the basement, and it seems to work". But I know more than I did before, and my old boiler has a future.

You guys should know that this was not possible without your knowledge and willingness to share it.

Thanks,

Jim Glose

Unknown

nice note

Thank you, and I agree.

I've learned a lot here, too.

Noel

JohnNY

Learning

This forum, along with some excellent classroom training, has helped me, a New York City Licensed Plumber and veteran of the trade for over 20 years (I'm 34 years old), become a professional and skilled hydronics installer.

That's something that my father, a highly-skilled plumber for over 40 years, pushed me to become because he saw the coming void in the trade. I thank him for that.

Some of the people who post on the Wall are incredibly talented and full of information.

Others are simply without peers in this industry.

I am truly honored when one of those people respond directly to one of my posts or privately to me in an email.

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

peng.shen

a new reader

I am a new reader and find this site very informatic and helpful. This incourage me to post my question about the basement no heating problems. I hope i can get some help in right direction to solve the problem, since the winter is coming fast.