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Angela
Angela Member Posts: 2
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!

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,699
    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...
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • greg george
    greg george Member Posts: 4
    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
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,599
    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.
    Retired and loving it.
  • jim lockard
    jim lockard Member Posts: 1,059
    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
    Angela Member Posts: 2




    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
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