cleaning a steam heat system

jimmy_3

About 3 years ago i had my boiler replaced. This year bfore i fired it up for the first time, i drained as much water as i could from the returns. It still seems quite rusty, im sure it's from the older return line. what's the best method or chemical to put in the boiler and clean the rust out. Should i flush it on a regular basis? I've heard about using vinegar is this true?

Ken_8

Use about

> About 3 years ago i had my boiler replaced. This

> year bfore i fired it up for the first time, i

> drained as much water as i could from the

> returns. It still seems quite rusty, im sure it's

> from the older return line. what's the best

> method or chemical to put in the boiler and clean

> the rust out. Should i flush it on a regular

> basis? I've heard about using vinegar is this

> true?



a pound of TSP per 100,000 BTU's and put it in dissolved (or mostly dissolved) in red hot water via the pressure relief valve. Boiler it until the riser is too hot to thold you hand on.

Drain it and rinse it and put it back on line for an hour. If that first shot doesn't make the water clear, do it again.

The gage glass may need to be blown down or cleaned with a brush.

Good luck.

Ken

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Ken_8

Use about

a pound of TSP per 100,000 BTU's and put it in dissolved (or mostly dissolved) in red hot water via the pressure relief valve. Boiler it until the riser is too hot to thold you hand on.

Drain it and rinse it and put it back on line for an hour. If that first shot doesn't make the water clear, do it again.

The gage glass may need to be blown down or cleaned with a brush.

Good luck.

Ken

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jimmy_3

tsp?

tommyoil

TSP =

Trisodiumphosphate. Available at most local hardware stores.

Mad Dog

and not legal in many areas

watch your hiny. Mex masonry cleaner works really well too. Mad Dog

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Dave Bush

Anybody ever try

That "TSP" substitute that I see all over the place?

It's in a liquid form, but I can't seem to find ingredient listings...

MEK is, IMO, more wicked than TSP.

tommyoil

Indeed

TSP is not legal in this area. MEX is what I choose as well. Have heard of an "environmentally friendly" TSP product. Never seen it though.