home inspection coming up

boiler inspection

get the book here: "the lost art of steam heating", and it will get you up to speed as to how the systems work.

as part of your inspection, look out for the following red flags [not necessarily terminal, but still objects of concern]:

1.signs of water leakage on the floor around the boiler, and underneath the burner.

2.signs of overheating around the burner.

3.non-functioning LWCO-should cut off the fire when drained, if it is a float type.

4.pressuretrol set too high above 1.5 psi.

5.no main vents and no tappings in which to install them.

6.copper piping above the boiler waterline, or a buried return, which may be leaking.

7.waterline dirty, and sight-glass even dirtier.

i am sure others can think of some other things to watch out for, including some things you should count on replacing even if they appear to work at the moment.--nbc

missing rads/capped off pipes

a few more:

  missing rads

  capped off pipes

  rotted flooring beneath rad feet and near rad valve

  notice whether it's 1-pipe steam or 2-pipe

  check under any rad enclosures (lift off the enclosure and inspect rads as above)

  missing rad vents

  rust water marks around vents