Some Steam Boiler Pics

jim_14

some people can be so cheap

Climate Creator

Ok here they are!

I will be replacing this Dry-Fired Peerless on Wed. Just thought I would share them since I always have my camera in my pocket. I am aware of the lack of insulation and the Htfd loop. Also looks like that main vent has seen some water. Any other suggestions would be nice, but I was just posting this to say that the guy who serviced this before me told the home owner he DIDNT need the LWCO just to watch the water level and made some red lines on the glass with a marker!! I could see it now!!! They are lucky the fuse in the old stair switch (10a) Blew!!! They had called to ask me if it was normal to have SOME water come near the "reset button motor" I knew what it was before I got there, but I can't believe what he told them!!! I am no expert compared to you guys but MAN!!!!!!!!!

Unknown

People always ask

me in my seminars....how can you tell if a boiler has been dry-fired? I usually answer....when the jacket changes paint color! This is a perfect example of that frequently asked question. Thanks for the posting the photos Rich.

Glenn

Climate Creator

Anytime

By the way It will be a Burnham going in there you know!!

CC

Boiler Guy

one born every minute!

Pay me now or pay later. Maybe the owner "just could not afford" a real technician!. Just gotta hope he can afford to pay for an installation by a proffessional

Leo

Neglect

It looks like this unit rarely if ever saw a technician. Judging by the front of the unit it has been plugged up on occasion. It doesn't matter what brand the new unit is, neglect will kill it. The front of this unit is a perfect reason why cold start oil boilers aren't liked by oil techs.

Leo

Climate Creator

Ok..More to add

First a question...why no equalizer from the header?
2nd could this be a remedy to the complaint of water hammer?

More info...

I told the guy (landlord, which explains the lack of PM) The earliest I could do this was Wed. Now he calls me tonight to say if I can't do it Tue. then he might have his "buddy" who works for the water dept do it on Wed. it was up to me!!! Last I checked the water dept doesnt do much with steam???

So even after all this they still continue to amaze me!!

CC

Climate Creator

Yeah

Leave it to the "LandLords"

CC

Dave DeFord

Oh yee of little faith..

The water dept guy will screw it up and then you get to charge to fix the problem and clean up his mess. Just remember there is a such a thing as a Pain in the A-- charge. I've done it to my customers/clients over the years and I will continue to do it. Just don't put it on the bill as such.

[Deleted User]

Easy guys.

That brush full of landlord coating tar should be used somewhat more carefully. As I type this, I should be working on a stack of invoices that will soon be mailed to, you guessed it, landlords.

The landlords I know, ask us to start getting their heating equipment ready for next winter as soon as the current one ends. They ask our advice on equipment choices and applications. Most of them don't even get a second price for boiler, burner, or control replacement. They understand, that if a routine part needs replacing, we will do it without calling. They trust us. 40% of our landlords have preventive maintenance agreements that puts us in their boiler rooms 4, 5, or 12 times per heating season. Almost never a complaint or question about a bill. Oh yeah. 95% pay within 30 days.

These guys, and gals, keep 7 of us fed, clothed, & under roof, year round. They want their equipment maintained properly. They want to provide their tenants with heat and hot water. They strive to provide decent housing, even in some trying locations. They are, to a large degree, like you and me. Business people trying to provide a service and make a living.

So. Before you apply that tar, look around. I'll bet you'll notice some good landlords too.

Thanks for listening.

scrook_2

landlords

could be he is cheap or it could be he has tenants he is obligated to provide heat to them *now* so he's in a hurry to get someone to install a new boiler. What the heck, his buddy at the water department knows plumbing, right, and hooking up a boiler is just plumbing -- it's just pipes -- (and a tiny bit of wiring) right? There's nothing complicated about steam, it goes out the pipe (and makes some banging noises so you know the heat's on) & water comes back... what's hard about that?

EDUCATION!
You have to educate the customer! Educate about what service and value *you* provide; about why steam boilers (or water boilers, or oil burners, or gas burners, etc.) are differant/specialized in a *differant way* than water, sewer, fuel gas, etc; why they need a heating specialist not a plumbing specialist or a HVAC specialist or a water dept/utility specialist; what *they* need to know about and do to their system in the way of routine maintance (e.g. blow down the LWCO and check the level in the gauge glass) and perhaps even why they *need* a LWCO, main vents, radiator vents, mains insulation, etc.

But if he's *cheap*, (as opposed to just a bit strapped for cash this month and just not happy about the unexpected expense) and can't be taught, then so it goes....

Earthfire

so who did the install ?

Climate Creator

Ohh

So that's where all the good landlords went?



CC

Climate Creator

Hmm

I don't know, does it look familiar too you? Did they call you too? Looks funny to me though!!!

What are your thoughts?

CC

[Deleted User]

well, myself

i'd just let the water dept guy screw the job up....its just that mean streak i have i guess...