Did I just meet a Knucklehead?

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

knucklehead

I m surprized he didnt recommened a conversion to hot water

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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

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.

definitely keep him away from your system!

Dean has it right

If their face lights up when they see the book, at least there is hope