how do you skim a boiler

joe_4

Hi All

Is there a illustrative version on how to skim/clean a steam boiler. I have a weil mclain

I've been reading the threads but I'm not sure of a few things.

1. When skimming, how do you maintain a temperature around 180F on a steam boiler. I don't recall seeing a temperature guage on the boiler itself so how do you know when it reaches that temperature (or temp required for skimming)

2. Where exactly is the skimming/tee. Is the tee already installed and where is this located (on the return, supply etc. What do you need ( eg a pail...)

3. How do you add TSP to the boiler?

4. The pressure is set correctly .5 and 1 but the pressure guage doesn't seem to read when the steam starts kicking in. Can this gauage be cleaned or should it just be replaced. Is that also the pigtail and which way is correct.

I think an illustration with steps would be great. It could be a pencil diagram or actual pictures or whatever. Something us homeowners can follow. Does anybody have a diagram??

Also, how long to you keep skimming.

One more question. What's the easiest way to clean the sight glass. I tried uintightening the nuts at the top and bottom of sight glass but I couldn't get it off. I didn't try and force since it's glass.

Anyway, I hope someone(bodies)can help.

Thanks in advance

Joe

tommyoil

Sorry

But I would leave a proper skim job to a pro who has experience with it. Its not to be taken lightly and things can and do go wrong. That being said, if you hired someone(with experience) to do it (properly) and you paid attention to what was going on and learned how by watching then I would say MAYBE give it a shot. Until then, hire someone to do it. Check the find a contractor section on this websight to see if one is in your area. It'll be worth every penny. Good luck!

joe_4

Who would do that

Now I'm thinking negative and the reason why is it seems contractors want the big jobs (new boiler installation, etc) and there's definitely nothing wrong with that. But, to find one who will just skim a boiler or maintenance is tough. You don't see any advertising for maintenance work from plumber or heating contractor. Not around here (NJ) at least. If I do find one, I'm afraid I would be overcharged for it.

That is why I'm writing to learn how to do it myself or what would be the cost (estimate) for this type of maintenance.

joe_4

Who would do that

Now I'm thinking negative and the reason why is it seems contractors want the big jobs (new boiler installation, etc) and there's definitely nothing wrong with that. But, to find one who will just skim a boiler or maintenance is tough. If I do find one (Montclair, NJ), I'm afraid I would be overcharged because the work involved may be too small.

That is why I'm writing to learn how to do it myself or what would be the cost (estimate) for this type of work. I will also check the advertising on this web.

Thank again

Joe

tommyoil

Paging Robert O'Connor

Maybe you can steer this gentleman in the right direction. He seems to be in your neck of the woods.

Robert O'Connor_7

Joe...

Best way to get a hold of me is by pager # (973) 450-5534. Which Weil-McLain boiler do you have? Most skim tappings of the WM are in the front section, upper/mid right (usually plugged and a bear to get out sometimes). Go to the WM web site and get your boiler manual. Depending on how dirty your steamer is it could any ammount of time..Robert O'Connor/NJ

Nick W

Robert and Joe

I have a shop in Maplewood. Is Montclair in your service area, Mr. O'Connor?

Nick W

Robert O'Connor_7

JohnNY

Yes it is. We do more industrial/commercial boiler work as well as process piping for many of the research facilities in the area. I do get some residential though, for I started as a jobber many moons ago and still have quite a few residential clients. Depending on what Joe, (our poster) requires we could all probably just walk him through it..Robert O'Connor/NJ

joe_4

Skimming

Well I went to the a plumbing supply store this saturday (also have a local plumber's buisness card) and bought a bottle of hercules boiler cleaner-Scout (1 quart). It was a powder substance which i poured into the boiler (100,000 btu-my boiler, WM-Model EG) via relief valve port. it states to let boiler run for 3 days then drain system. It cleans sludge, etc. I'm on day two and i would say it's working since the sight glass is real murky (almost black).

I also have another bottle of hercules which is a liquid form with silicone. This can be used for skimming the boiler. If I follow the directions, i'm supposed to remove the relief valve, pour the liquid and replace relief valve with elbow and hose connection. Start the boiler up until it starts steaming then turn boiler off and let the steam discharge with all the foam and oil until it runs clear. I plan on doing this day 4.

Is that all I have to do and is this what's called skimming? Also, am I on the right track?? How much dicharge will come out when it begins to steam and boiler's turn off. I also notice from the post you should repeat this process.

One other thing. I noticed I do not have a main vent. There's an elbow which has a plugged outlet (90 degree-3/4"?) at the end of the steam supply line before it returns to boiler. Is this outlet a good place for a main vent?

Thanks for all your responses. I would have responded sooner but I was away for a bit (shopping and football).

Joe