Odor with new boiler install

kurt kiplok

Had plumber install new replacement Weil McLain SG04 oil steam system about six weeks ago. Have drained system every other day and still get stong metalic smell each time steam comes up. Is there an other method to eliminate? PS I have been skimming boiler thru top center plug flow seems clear.

Do you recommend adding a cleaner or is it just a matter of time. Any other suggestions or remedies are appreciated.

Unknown

It's just a matter of time

till the smell goes away if you keep dumping the dirty boiler water . But you can cut down the time needed by adding a cleaner to the system . Any brand with TSP will work good . We mainly use Sid Harvey or Hercules brands on every new install . Some of the cleaners give off a sweet smell while they do the job . By chance , did the plumber istall a shutoff and drain valve on the return piping ?

Don't forget to come back and tell us if the smell goes away .

kurt kiplok

Ron,

Thanks for the quick reply. The plumber did add a drain vavle on the return no shut off though. Also they added a lot of new pipe the old install did not have a hartford loop. Some of this is black Pipe and some is copper. Why do you ask.

Kurt

Constantin

Give George Hunt a Call

Finally met him yesterday at Wetstock. Rhomar water systems will set you up with a great cleaner that will make 8 hours of skimming and smells a thing of the past. It won't clean the pipes, but the boiler itself will stop surging, etc. George didn't recommend letting the boiler steam either while the cleaner was in there.. just bring it to 180°F, let it do its magic, then drain. Done.

Even though I'm a mere homeowner, I can see the value in letting properly formulated chemicals do their magic instead of generic stuff... must be the engineering training! Plus, Rhomars cleaner is a big time saver, and a good insurance policy, IMHO.

Unknown

We like to install

a valve and a drain on the return pipe , to shut off any dirty water coming back to the boiler when we clean the returns out . We add the cleaner in and let it work its way back to the drain on the returns , and flush it all out into buckets .