Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

New steam boiler, no hartford loop or main vents

Chris_35
Chris_35 Member Posts: 49
in THE MAIN WALL
We had a new boiler installed last year. It was piped into the existing pipes that are about 90 years old.
It does not have any main vents and there are no signs of any ever being there to begin with.
It also does not have a hartford loop.
(I learned about hartford loops after the new boiler was put in)
It used to have asbestos insulation on the pipes but it was removed now it has no insulation.
The pipes bag like crazy at the beginning of a cycle.
My questions; should I get a harford loop piped in?
should I get have main vents put in even though it looks like the original system never had any?
And I know I should insulate the pipes ASAP.
Thanks!

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,384
    Yes, Yes and Yes

    Do all three and your system will run much better.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Mad Dog
    Mad Dog Member Posts: 2,595
    You got swindled by whomever put that puppy in

    last year. Hartford loops have been the law for at least 90 years and Steamhead would probably tell you much longer than that. Get a pro in there asap, my friend. The best place to find a competent steam man is here at this site via the FIND A PROFESSIONAL area. Good luck and keep us posted. Mad Dog

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Al Letellier
    Al Letellier Member Posts: 781
    no vents

    You didn't mention what kind of system you have. The other posts are correct if you have a single pipe system, but the absence of a Hartford loop may indicate a counterflow system , which does not use a Hartford loop. Have it checked by a pro who really understands steam. Don't spend any more money repiping until you're sure. Insulation is always a good thing with a steam system. Do it.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Mad Dog
    Mad Dog Member Posts: 2,595
    All Steam boilers require a Hartford loop except

    ones with a pumped return. Mad Dog

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Chris_35
    Chris_35 Member Posts: 49


    Ok, Its a slantfin model GXH-170.
    Its a one pipe steam system.
    It was very difficult finding someone who knows anything about steam around here.
    I live in Omemee Ontario (about 1.5 hours north east of Toronto). Some of the guys I had look at it had never even seen a one pipe system!
    I just looked at it again, It definately does not have a loop on it.
  • Chris_35
    Chris_35 Member Posts: 49


    Ok, Its a slantfin model GXH-170.
    Its a one pipe steam system.
    It was very difficult finding someone who knows anything about steam around here.
    I live in Omemee Ontario (about 1.5 hours north east of Toronto). Some of the guys I had look at it had never even seen a one pipe system!
    I just looked at it again, It definately does not have a loop on it.
  • Mad Dog
    Mad Dog Member Posts: 2,595
    Noel @ Slantfin can give you some scetches of

    what it should piped like. Mad Dog

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,384
    Here you go

    Noel sent me this a while back. This should answer all your questions about piping that boiler. It's posted full size as some of the print is rather small.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Chris_35
    Chris_35 Member Posts: 49


    Thanks very much for all of your help.
    Now I am not sure if it has a hartford loop or not!
    I will take a photo and try to post it here.
  • Unknown
    Unknown Member
    The counterflow system doesn't require it

    But it can be quieter if you drop to the floor with the return and come back up to make a Hartford loop. You'll never have steam cross the nipple and go up the return end of the supply main, this way.

    I don't know how Canada's codes are different from ours. You can call me if you have a question, and if need be, we can call our Canada plant to see if the installation instructions are the same.

    Noel

    800 873 4346 ext 456
  • Chris_35
    Chris_35 Member Posts: 49


  • steve_6
    steve_6 Member Posts: 243
    equalizer

    whats the reason for choking the equalizer down from 2 1/2" to 1 1/2"? thanks Steve
  • bob young
    bob young Member Posts: 2,177


    the boiler tapping is 1 1/4 " figure that one out . i guess to make it surge extra. i love surging--- it lets you know things are happening.
  • Unknown
    Unknown Member
    If you have one surging, give me a call,

    because it isn't a problem. I can help you figure out why it's surging.

    It isn't a problem with 5 of them banked together without check valves on a gravity or pumped system, 1 pipe or 2 pipe. Run all boilers or any combination of boilers, or any single boiler in the bank, as well as single boiler installations. Run them any way you like. It isn't an issue.

    I speak from experience.

    Noel
This discussion has been closed.

Categories