still dumb and still scared about steam

D Brawley

Hi, well we have worked our butts off and did alot of work to the huge old victorian and today is the day that we are getting the gas, electric and water turned on ( we have been borrowing electric from my husbands cousin next door) I ordered Dan's book Lost Art Of Steam Heat and havent had too much time to go cover to cover (work 54 hours per week, husband about that much too, kids and renovations dont leave much time for reading) We have bundled up and used the fireplaces till now and I have to get the interior painted and papered before Wednesday and we need heat!!! My question is just about everything but mostly how do we fill this monster with water and how do we get it going? This house has been empty since last March and I am so freaked out about leaks in the system not ot mention in the plumbing and we have just plucked the last few dollars off the money tree. We are in Belleville Illinois and about 25 minutes from St. Louis and I tried to find a proffesional on this site and none are listed. I dont want to call just anyone as we have so far been ripped off by our electrician and the guy who trimmed our trees. The people we sold our current house to want us out by March 18th. We would GREATLY APPRECIATE any help to get some heat!!!! Thanks, The Brawleys

bigugh_4

To bad you have a lockout on your E-M addy

thfurnitureguy_4

D, You like many have re done the paint job, re tucked the interior washed and waxed all with out knowing if you have an engine and a trans. (to use a car metifore). The heat and plumbing are the things that will out last and give more comfort than anything in the house. Ok enough preaching (I did the same thing on my first house) Be safe and call a heating contractor to start the thing up. Find the one your neighbors use and keep in mind that you will most likely be told to scrap and replace with scorched air. Have them clean it and set up the burner. This will solve the safety issues. Have them stay and watch for leaks at valves and vents. Keep the pressure set low 0 to 2 psi. Write down what they say you need to replace and post here. There are good pros on this site that can help you work with a contractor who may be a good plumber or burner guy and not a steam expert. This will not be cheap. keep in mind what you don't fix now you will pay for every month in fuel. Best of luck and keep the faith fellow steamer!

Tom Shekita

Can you post some pix? It is always interesting to see old units.

Jerry_15

Don't do it. Were you ripped off, overcharged, or just shocked at price of good professional work.. I'm sure there are many good folks in your area, try the better business bureau to check em out, but trying to start up a boiler in this situation could lead you to grief beyond your wildest dreams. And I'm not talking about just money here. Snap out of it, break open the piggy bank, and get a pro, at least for the start up, and to tell you haw to operate the system. Good luck

Jerry_15

Don't forget, you have a house in escrow, and disclosure statements up the wazoo. If you "fix" this , and something goes wrong, they will sue your butt off, and win. The guy who fixes it, owns it. I carry 2,000,000 (which I've never used), in insurance; how about you? I've been paid out of escrow many times when the deal closes, and picked up a service contract with the new owner too. Just good business. Doesn't hurt to ask.