Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Does this boiler seem piped right?

Ed59
Ed59 Member Posts: 13
I've been reading on this site and Dan's books how important boiler piping is and I'm wondering if this looks right? Or am I confused?

Comments

  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
    piping problem

    I would say not even close to the instructions. probably should use both headers, and put in a horizontal header with one feed from it to any main above.

    Is the system noisy?
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    edited March 2014
    Doesn't look very good

    There is no header there. The header should run horizontally 24" to 28" above the boiler water line with a swing joint to relieve stress on the boiler from expansion/contraction. The two mains should each be tied, independently into the header. The equalizer should come off of the end of the header, after the mains, and the piping for the Hartford loop should run along the floor like the wet return and then come up so that there is a close nipple that ties it into the equalizer  
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Only thing they did right

    was to use black steel rather than copper. Hopefully you can re-use some of those pieces when you repipe. 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • bustoff315
    bustoff315 Member Posts: 26
    Auto Feeder

    I find it interesting that the automatic water feeder is shut off as well. I bet there is/was a lot of water leaving that system.
  • Ed59
    Ed59 Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2014
    Does this boiler seem piped right?

    Like I said, I'm no professional, but this is what struck me:



    - No horizontal header



    - Hartford loop / equalizer boiler side doesn't go down to the level of the return



    - Return not connected to the Hartford loop with a close nipple, looks like 8 - 10"
  • Ed59
    Ed59 Member Posts: 13
    auto feeder

    Very observant. Wouldn't some it make sense to leave the auto-feeder off most times to make sure you noticed any leakage? Only turn it on if you're going to be away for a while as a safety?
  • Ed59
    Ed59 Member Posts: 13
    Looking for steam contractor in Boston area

    So this isn't my system. Sigh. I'm looking for a good steam contractor in the Boston area.



    These pictures are right off the Facebook page of one highly rated contractor. They posted them themselves as an example of a job they did.



    But he did measure the radiators. The first contractor I had in (highly recommended by friends) didn't do that. When I questioned the boiler sizing, I was told he had 40 years experience sizing boilers. But the boiler supplier could do a full heat-loss calculation if I wanted...



    Any recommendations?
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    I service there

    If it is in CT or MA I service there. You can look at my ad from the link below.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • RDSTEAM
    RDSTEAM Member Posts: 134
    Wow....

    That thing isn't even close to correct. Insulation looks really nice though.
  • Ed59
    Ed59 Member Posts: 13
    thanks charlie

    I've seen a lot of good advice from you here, but you're a loooong way from Boston. I'd really like to have somebody nearby in case of emergency, and for annual maintenance
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,476
    This might work

    If you really want someone local you might try



    http://72.3.142.104/professional/428/J-A-Phinney-Plumbing-and-Heating



    He is in Milton and he knows whereof he speaks.



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    not even close to right

    Give Charlie a call. He will fix you right up, and properly.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.