Buffalo contractor

Kevin Blair

We have recently purchased a house in Buffalo, New York and discovered we have one-pipe steam. The home is a double (or 2 flat, i.e. it has 2 three bedroom apartments and each apartment has a boiler and one pipe steam heating system). Both systems are doing all of the banging, clanking, etc. And in the upper (our apartment, our older boys are using the lower)we have uneven heating--some radiators get hot, others don't.

Following the instructors in Dan Holohan's book (which we bought) we found that all of the air vents were clogged. We soaked them in vinegar and they seemed to unclog--we could blow air through them. We put them back on the radiators. The next day each of the radiators become warm and we thought we had made some progress. Then the temparture really fell; it is 20 something this morning as I write.

With the fall in temperature, we bgan to hear the banging, etc. A couple of the vents are now making a lot of hissing noises and 3 of the radiators (at the back of the house)are no longer getting warm.

As I read Dan's book I see more problems: the boilers were replaced around 1997 and the boiler for the upper has all new looking copper pipes! I haven't gone to the basement yet this morning to check dimension A, but I now wonder if the boiler was installed correctly

I also haven't check the pressure setting yet, but I will guess that the pressure is set too high.

In addition, we have done anything about the main vents in the basement, but they have been making a lot of noise (hissing to be specific) the last few days.

So, I think I need to locate a knowledgable steam heating contractor. From a sticker on the boiler, I know who did the last installation and thus, who to avoid. Does anyone know of a reliable and knowledgable contractor in the Buffalo area?

Also, any other thoughts on what I should do next would appreciated.

KDB

Empire_2

Hello Kevin

I am in Buffalo, but my area of expertise is not steam. We are mainly a service CO. I will make a few calls and get back to you ASAP. If you like you can call my office at 716-648-1763. If you like E-Mail me and leave contact #'s so I may reach you.

Mike T.