Hlep!

Angela

Hi-

I am a homeowner who has just begun to read Dan's "We've Got Steam." I have a steam system that runs on a gas fired boiler. I live in Orange Cty, NY about 60 miles N of NYC. Last year I had my system overhauled by an outfit in my area named ASTAR. Has anyone heard of them? I think they did a good job but I am still reading Dan's book. As a result I have a few questions that maybe you all could help me with:

1. I need to insulate my pipes. If I use the fiberglass and duct tape method, what R value should I purchase? I assume that I put the vapor barrior out? Does it matter if the vapor barrier is paper or foil? Do I wrap all pipes back to the boiler and up to the ceiling of the basement where they enter the floorboards to the room above? (I have a 200 yr. old house thus no subfloor).

2. ASTAR told me to drain down my entire boiler every week and refill with clean water. ARE THEY KNUCKLEHEADS OR AM I THE KNUCKLEHEAD FOR STICKING WITH ASTAR????

HELP SOON PLEASE!

Jamie Hall

I'm no expert

there are guys on the Wall who really are! But I do have a couple of thoughts...

The fiberglass and duct tape method of insulating your steam lines works. It's also a first class pain. There are other types of insulation which are much easier to put up -- hopefully someone will post a place to get the stuff near you. In any case, insulate every steam line you can see! I'd use a foil barrier, and put the barrier out, if I were doing it that way -- but I've always used the pre-fab stuff, being lazy.

There are many schools of thought on draining a boiler, and hopefully one of the pros will chime in on this. In my humble opinion, though, a complete drain once a week is way way too much. A brand new boiler may or may not need to be cleaned -- and there are good ways to do that -- but after that, no. I've had very good results from draining just enough water from the low water cutoff drain to have it run clean (typically a bucket or so) about once a month -- no more water than that, and no more often -- and have run that way for years.

Are you a knucklehead for staying with ASTAR? I haven't a clue. If they seem to be competent on adjusting the burner, that's important. They probably aren't that hot on adjusting the rest of the steam system -- but there are very very few contractors out there who are. You may well become more of an expert on that than they -- just keep reading Dan's books (and visiting the Wall!). But adjusting oil burners is not do it yourself territory...

greg george

blow down

during the heating season the low water cutoff should be blown down[flushed] once a week. but ,of course, if you have an electronic type lwc, you cant. but the probe should be removed and cleaned once a year. I live and work in orange cty. and as far as i've heard, astar has a pretty good rep.[ they are one of my competitors]good luck

DanHolohan

Draining and refilling

a boiler once is week is really bad advice. You need to drain about a quart of water from the low-water cutoff, but you don't drain and refill the boiler. That would seriously shorten the life of the boiler.

A vapor barrier isn't necessary when you're insulating the pipes, Angela. Just tuck them in so the steam has a chance to get to your radiators. A couple of inches of insulation is fine.

Thanks for reading me.

jim lockard

Gas

He has a gas fired boiler Jamie not Oil. As for draining your boiler every week no. Your servicer may have miscommunicated, most likly he met to "Blow it down once a week" which in trade jargon means to open the handle on the low water/water feeder and get the crud out. Best wishes J.Lockard

Angela

To all those kind souls who responded so quickly:

THANK YOU for the words of wisdom, they will not go unheeded.

Until the next question...

Angela