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TSP?

Ted_9
Ted_9 Member Posts: 1,718
I need to clean and flush a hydronic heating system within the next couple of day and I dont have time to order Rhomar products. Can I use this TSP(not sure what it is) and how and how much is used?

PATRIOT HEATING & COOLING, INC.

Comments

  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    Ted theTSP is in the grocery store...

    when we were younger it used to be like 20cents a box its over by the borax mule team stuff...mix it in a 5 gallon bucket and pump it into the cool boiler.fill the boiler back up put another hose on a no kink closethe return valve off and cycle it thru the bucket with your wayne pump....i'd put a cap on your spiro vent...then you can run the boiler up andcycle it thru the system with the return valve open and the valves to your wyane pump turned off...then just cool the boiler back down ,bust out the compressor ,blast the system back down run clean water tru it again with your pump...shoot the stuff out the drain check it in a white container till it looks like normal water...now all is well and jazz it back up. being lazy and leaving it in the system isnt the thing to do.When flushing the system i use to take some litmus paper and check it a few times..once when i started then after i drained it back down then when i thought i got the stuff clear in the system....that way for all of 9 cents or whatever i could determine what the water was like in the area. nowadays, iget the same quality of water and fill the system when doing new installs and the propyline glycol thats before i even open the fill valves on the boiler.
  • steve_61
    steve_61 Member Posts: 1
    TSP

    If you decide to use TSP, I hope that you can find it in Massachusetts. I never thought to check grocery stores, but I wasn't able to buy any at hardware stores where I used to get it. They told me that they don't carry it anymore because the phosphate is such a bad pollutant.
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    TSP ain't what it used to be

    in fact most brands now say "phosphate free" !! The EPA has clamped down on phosphates and as such TSP has been targeted.

    TSP is basically a strong soap. I have also used automatic dishwashing detergents. They clean well and don't suds up.

    Still these are just soaps! Hydronic cleaners contain O2 scavangers, ph buffers, cleaners, and film providers. They go a lot further than just soap.

    If you use a TSP or soap, check the ph after flushing. they tend to leave it high, maybe 10-11. Fine for steam systems, but a bit too high (alkaline) for closed loop hydronics with copper. And way out of ph range if you have any aluminum in the system.

    Plenty of hydronic cleaners out there, Rectorseal has a number of brands, Stewart hall, Hercules, Calganon (sp) usually found at Johnstone Supply stores. Just about all the plumbing chemicial suppliers have hydronic system cleaners and flushes available.

    Check around for the correct product before you soap 'er up.

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  • Constantin
    Constantin Member Posts: 3,796
    I'd go with Rhomar...

    ... can't really go wrong with a product that is actually formulated for the intended use. Presumably, George Hunt or anyone else at Rhomar can overnight the stuff if need be.
  • TSP

    Ted,

    If you are in the greater Boston area, there is a chemical company in Chelsea that we used to deal with for commercial grade TSP and Caustic Soda mixtures for cleaning steam boilers. They are Water Chemicals Inc. in Chelsea, MA. Hope this helps.

    Glenn Stanton

    Burnham Hydronics
  • Ted_9
    Ted_9 Member Posts: 1,718


    I will(use Rhomar) but I need to get this boiler up and running tomorrow. I at least want to flush it out with something other than water.

    PATRIOT HEATING & COOLING, INC.
  • JimGPE_3
    JimGPE_3 Member Posts: 240
    TSP

    Tri-sodium phosphate
This discussion has been closed.