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Did I just meet a Knucklehead?

Constantin
Constantin Member Posts: 3,796
he's located in Watertown, MA and he knows how to make sad steam systems happy.

Comments

  • nuevosul
    nuevosul Member Posts: 4
    Did I just meet a Knucklehead?

    (Names will be withheld here) I recently purchased an old brownstone that came with one-pipe steam and a relatively new boiler. We thought we'd convert to forced hot air along with cooling, but then I read We Got Steam Heat and I have reconsidered. So I called around to invite a plumber to come look at my system and diagnose it for renovation. (The entire place is being renovated, with new rooms added where there previously weren't any, so I also wanted the size evaluated). During my first call with the company that installed my boiler, I was advised:
    (1) Not to insulate basement piping if I thought I might use the basement as a finished room (which I am not)
    (2) That main vents aren't necessary because all they do is leak (and that if they did work at my house in the past they probably made a point to remove them)
    (3) That radiators should never EVER be pitched because the pipe under the floor will then lose its pitch
    (4) That the most common reason for water hammer is dirty water in the boiler, and a good boiler cleaning will do the trick.
    Knucklehead or not? Is the book the bible or is it open to interpretation?
    Thanks
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    You sure did

    go to the Find a Professional page of this site to locate a real steam man near you.
  • ed wallace
    ed wallace Member Posts: 1,613
    knucklehead

    I m surprized he didnt recommened a conversion to hot water

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Rodney Summers
    Rodney Summers Member Posts: 748
    The Good Book

    The book is written in stone. Amazing how easy it is to tell the good from the evil, isn't it?

    And you seem to have found your way to heaven, where there are clouds of steam.

    Good luck.
  • Yes he was

    At least he was consistent. He said nothing that was correct.

    You are lucky that he was not selling wood stoves. He probably would have tried to sell you his 100% efficient one. It is 100% efficient because it is made of WOOD.

    Ed
  • nuevosul
    nuevosul Member Posts: 4
    knucklehead verified

    Actually, he DID recommend a conversion to hot water.
  • Steve Ebels_3
    Steve Ebels_3 Member Posts: 1,291
    Knucklehead is kind

    Moron, hack, thief, those are maybe a little less kind but perhaps more fitting. You have reached the elementary and correct conclusion. Find someone else.
  • Dean_7
    Dean_7 Member Posts: 192
    Knucklehead

    You did. Now get "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" and "EDR". Put them on the table when the next contractor comes over. One of two things will happen either their face will light up with a smile and they will sit down and seriously discuss your options or they will turn white, say they can't help you and leave. Education is a wonderful thing.
  • john_27
    john_27 Member Posts: 195


    definitely keep him away from your system!
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • jeff_51
    jeff_51 Member Posts: 545
    Dean has it right

    If their face lights up when they see the book, at least there is hope
  • Ron Schroeder_3
    Ron Schroeder_3 Member Posts: 254
    and if you let this guy work on your home

    you might get there before you had planned to.
This discussion has been closed.