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JOHN_138
JOHN_138 Member Posts: 3
in THE MAIN WALL
HOW DO I INTRODUCE ANTIFREEZE INTO A BOILER RESIDENTIAL SYSTEM? ( PUMPS, HOSES AND WITH WHICH BOILER DRAIN?)

Comments

  • Al Corelli
    Al Corelli Member Posts: 454


    I'd call a pro. He'd know.
  • kevin coppinger_4
    kevin coppinger_4 Member Posts: 2,124
    It is not as ...

    simple as it might appear. You need to clean the system first...use the right glycol type( not the automotive type) and in some instances you have to either use a special back flow preventer or disconnect it from the water. In order to put in the right amount you need to know how big the system is (volume)and in some cases either put in a bigger pump and or expantion tank....then you can pump it into the system.....kpc

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  • Dave Belisle
    Dave Belisle Member Posts: 68


    In all cases you have to use a RPZ device ( Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer like a 009QT ) if you add antifreeze , even the Non Toxic. Never use car antifreeze !!! Or the boiler feed has to be disconnected from the domestic water system....

    I use a small pump and connect to the boiler drain at the bottom of the boiler . All my zones have isolation and purge valves on them. I will pick one of the zones , shut the valve off at the return, open the purge valve and start pumping. When I start to see red I shut the purge valve off ( I'm pumping into a bucket buy the way ) . My pump will put 20 pounds in the system. I will then run all the zones to mix it and check it with my refracto meter to see if I have the percentage I was looking for...

    It is best to try and figure out how much water is in your system first , so you don't pump to much in....

    Dave in NH


  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,908
    And


    do not use propylene glycol on an aluminum boiler.

    PG eats aluminum.

    Mark H

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  • Mark Wolff_2
    Mark Wolff_2 Member Posts: 76
    ARE YOU UPSET?

    WHY ARE YOU YELLING? All caps lets us know you are upset in computerese.
  • JOHN_138
    JOHN_138 Member Posts: 3


    IM NOT UPSET. I JUST WANT TO DO THIS RIGHT. WE JUST NSTARTED INSTALLING BOILERS, WITH IN-FLOOR HEAT.WE'LL NEED TO ADD GLYCALL TO THE SYSTEM. SHOULD WE CALL A PRO?
  • Mark Wolff_2
    Mark Wolff_2 Member Posts: 76
    Help

    Adding glycol can be done by the average person sometimes. Depending upon your boiler(s) you will have to determine which type to use. Read the boiler manufacturers recommendations in the literature attached to the boiler. Some boilers (especially aluminum alloy) cannot have certain types of glycol in them, they will go bad quickly.

    To actually install glycol in a new system, you need to flush the system with regular water. Let it run for a day at temperature, then flush that with new water (this tells you of any leaks you missed in your system and removes a lot of flux, copper shavings, etc. Once the old water is out, add tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) to the water you are introducing into the system. Let that run for the product manufacturers recommended time (always less than a day). Once again, flush that with fresh water. After that cleaning and flushing, you are ready to install glycol.

    Using a transfer pump, start pumping mixed glycol into the system one zone at a time,until you get glycol through the return. Do this to all zones, then continue to fill the system as any excess air is removed. Once the system is full and your pressure is between 12 and 20 psi shut off the transfer pump and let your system run. After a few hours of running, check the freeze protection with a hygrometer for proper protection level, adding 100% glycol as needed to bring the system protection to the level needed.

    Hope this helps. If it sounds too complicated or you have questions about it, contact a reputable heating professional in your area to walk you through the process on the first one (you said boilers).
  • Brad White_144
    Brad White_144 Member Posts: 17
    Transfer Pump

    If you do not have a transfer pump, get a Silver King Force Pump, not unlike a bicycle pump but different. It is made of brass and has hose fittings. Manual operation and a worthwhile investment for a number of reasons.

    When I had a question sent by their web site about Silver King's chemical products, I got a phone call back from Charlie at Silver King. In passing I told him how I liked my Force Pump.
    "Oh," he said. "I am the one who makes those."

    Nice, personal touch that he called.
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