Drain Radiators after Flooding?

Motivated Amateur

Nice to see we both had the same problem last night. My radiators all drained just fine on their own. If your water hadn't been cleaned lately, you may have some clogged vents, though. Don't let him try to replace them on you at $100 a piece either, before you remove and clean them yourself, if needed. As for the auto-feed, as long as it is piped correctly (I do not have that luxury), it is easily replaceable, as it should screw off without any pipes to break.

Matthew S.

Help! Do I need to drain my steam radiators after flooding?

Our steam system flooded last night. We called a plumber to look.

He stated that we need to remove each radiator in the system, and drain them (at $100 each).

We have a "one pipe" system (or whatever the technical term is - one pipe for steam and return-condensate).

Once he drains the system from the boiler, why would he have to remove the water from each radiator through dis-assembly? Shouldn't the radiators self drain? Or am I misunderstanding him somehow?

Thanks,

DanHolohan

I would think

that gravity would do the job.

John S.

Does the plumber...

happen to have a bridge for sale as well?

You are absolutely correct, they should drain themselves.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Matthew S.

Amazing - that would also explain his agitation when I questioned him on it.

The bear is that I am out of town, and my (expecting wife) is dealing with this guy, who I suspect is being pushed to boost the cost of the job by his boss / dispatch.

They also quoted me $980 to replace the auto-water-fill gizmo. Shoot me.

Bob W._3

Thats two guys with flooded systems due to automatic water feeders? I have mine bypassed unless we go out of town. Not worth the risk. Good luck on getting your systems working again.

Ericjeeper

Out of town?

I think I would rather have it in daily use.. Rather than only functioning while I am away.. This way I would atleast know it functions properly.
My wife has this deal about not using the clothes dryer if we are fixing to walk out the door.. But will use it when I am going to sleep?I always tell her I would rather have it burn down with me being gone.. Then sleeping in the bed.ps and yes we do have smoke detectors wired in.

Guy_6

noise

Keep in mind that you may get a little banging noise from water that is now caught where it shouldn't be (not that I would know anything about that...;-) ).
This too shall soon pass all on its own.
Keep in mind that the contractor may not be acting out of greed, but out of ignorance. The latter can be more dangerous...

DanHolohan

Some other things to consider:

After the flood

Bob W._3

Understood Eric, but when going out of town in our climate we need the heat on, which is the one time we don't want the boiler to shut down on low water. If the boiler shuts down while I'm at work, I can handle it, and the house won't cool off that much. If it shuts down over a lost weekend, at 20 below outside, well, thats a different story.

Dave DeFord_3

FYI The auto-fill

costs about $300 retail for a hydo-level VXT the MM model is about $100 cheaper as I recall so the guy seems to be charging you about $680 for the plumbing work. Seems a bit steep but I don't know what has to be done. If this is in a galvanized pipe system with no unions nearby there may be a lot of pipe that would need to be replaced if it doesn't come apart easily. Could your pregnant wife deal with manually feeding the boiler until you get back? At any rate I would try and get a second bid this one seems a bit high.