Am I Crazy for thinking this?

Richard O'Connor

I've been reading the posts on here for some time now, and have (as a home-owner) gotten both the 'steamhead' books, We Got Steam Heat and The Lost art of Steam heat.

Now here's the insanity ... Last January (03) I was downsized from my regular employment as an Information Systems Manager (senior level). I spent last year out of work (yeah ha) and have futzed around with any number of things. (my resume is also attached)

One of them is getting into the lost family business. Both my grandfathers were plumbers (in fact, dead men) and it seems I got the knowledge at some level hereditarily. (its in the genes).

So, having installed my own boiler, pictures enclosed, with not much but the old installation to go by, I find that I did it 'mostly' right (probably should have a second riser off the boiler) and it works great.

So considering this...am I nuts at 40 to be thinking about becomming a plumber/apprentice/jack of all trades (I can do electrical too)?

If you all don't think I'm nuts...how do I go about getting a job to start with ... preferably something that pays the bills ... In the Newark, NJ area and helping many of my friends replace air vents and plumbing fixtures is fun, but not paying the mortgage.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Richard

Justin Gavin

Never too late to start

Go for IT!. Combine your skills with computers and tell the contractor tit for tat. You help them out with the business side of things and they help you become a trained boiler installer or tech. You will find yourself an integral part of the company with alot of job security! That way you can pay the bills and learn the trade.

Good Luck!

Kal Row

a long as you body goes along with it...

i am 48 and my body isn’t complying with this business anymore

heatboy

I have a good friend in Chester, NJ.

I'm not sure how close that is to you, but Derek does loads of radiant and other types of hydronic work. Not sure if he's looking, but I can steer you to him.

Are you nuts? Absolutely not. This trade is one of the most gratifying things you could do. And the people who populate The Wall are top notch and will do anything they can to help get you started.

hb

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

Paul Mitchell

If you do

I would get in on the estimating side...less physical. But as far as your boiler goes...just a couple things...the hartford loop should have a close to shoulder nipple between the el and tee. I would have fed the water into the bottom of the boiler. Also put a ball valve in between the rise up from the wet return on the hartford to the elbow. I do think that you should have used both the supply taps. one from each side to the header....But if all is working then good for you.
Good Luck

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

DaveF

I was thinking the same thing.

With all the IT jobs going overseas, you never know how long you can keep working in computers. And at 40+ it may not be so easy to get a new job in IT.

It is good to know that the heating guys will still take us in. HVAC is cool.

Mad Dog

Its a tough trade, but..................................

if you are a tough guy AND you find the work interesting, it can be very rewarding. Be prepared to work your rear end off especially since you will not make much for trhe first few years and will need the overtime. Mad dog

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

bob young

gas branch

decent job but gas should always be piped solid. that connection is a violation.

Robert O'Connor_7

Flex connectors

You acually CAN use flex connectors, up to 3'(foot) on a boiler & 6' on a stove or dryer. 2000 Int.Gas Code, SECTION 411. Adopted into the UCC in NJ. Some old timers frown on it but, TOO BAD... Also think about Trac Pipe. Isn't that one long flex?? you can't install it through an unprotected casing of anything that has a motor in or on it.... But you can get it pretty close. As a mater of fact the regs. are somwhat contradictory cause what would you connect to a gas fired generator for lets say a hospital??? FLEX that's is.. only a steel braided one. I personally preffer iron. I also preffer the make up water in the return, before the drain.....BOC

Richard O'Connor

Thanks for the hints ...

I knew about the hartford change ... and so its on the post heating season list

And I think the other riser is going in to .. but like I said it does work well.

R

Richard O'Connor

thanx

I've heard both things on the gas supply. Its on the list (because at some level it seems wrong (even though it is code ok).

Thanx

Richard O'Connor

Hmmmm

hb...thanx .... chester is about 30 miles or so--so I'd be willign to be in touch and see what might come of it.

R

Leo

Go for it

At 43 I left police work after 22yrs and being a Sgt. I got my oil burner lic (in Mass). Got to learn steam, hot water, hot air, then ac. It is a constant learning process.

Leo

Grumpy