ATTN: STEAM GURUS

Jonathan_4

Steam gurus (Dan, Steamhead, MadDog & co.):

There is a thread farther down the list with a question about how to properly shut down a steam boiler for the summer:

http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&Thread_ID=14543&mc=16

I was surprised that there was no info in Holohan's book about this. I was even more surprised that none of you replied to the thread linked above. In case you just didn't see the thread, I thought I would direct the inquiry a little more blatantly.

Thanks,
Jonathan

Mad Dog

Putting me in company with those guys

is an honor. Sorry no one commented. I think I can speak for all of us....we have to limit our time at The Wall or we will have no wife, life, or business, so we often skim thru quickly. The biggest thing I would be concerned with is a good flush down of the boiler and the returns under steam pressure. Take apart the pigtail, take out the boiler drains, rod out the mud leg. No one does this, but it would definitely behoove the system. I do this in early fall. As important as the internals, is the burners, chimney, sections and flue. They should be checked bi-annually and cleaned yearly. Mad Dog

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DanHolohan

Solid advice

from the Dog.

Firedragon_4

One other thing!

You didn't mention how big this boiler is; but if it were commercial I would follow all of Mad Dog's advice (great, BTW) and also open all of the cleanout doors and clean it.

If air can move through a clean boiler it can't foul the firesides while shut down and it doesn't hurt the cast-iron (or steel) not to have the residual products of combustion clinging to the metal all summer.

BTW, fireside maintenance is good for ANY boiler regardless of fuel and type, FACT!

Steamhead

I'll second MD and FD

They said it as well as I ever could.

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adambuild

Water level?

What about the water level? Is it possible that I read somewhere that the boiler, after the work you all described is done, should be overfilled so that the air/waterline doesn't "eat" the sections?