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Steam boiler replacement

Dave0176
Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
2007 installed Burnham V84, owner wanted to replace it to convert to gas, however while removing the boiler we found the rot starting on the middle sections. It was a good time to do it as next winter it would’ve probably let loose. We went in with a Weil-McLain EG45. The mains are split one side being 1-1/2” and the long main 2-1/2” of course the old near boiler piping left much to be desired. The oil companies were great at servicing and leaving their tags however they never really cleaned this boiler very good as you can see from the pics.






DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
Ironman

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    And the oil companies wonder why they always lose business......

    Looking great so far!
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Dave0176ethicalpaul
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    Neglect. The owner should write a book "how to ruin a 12 year old boiler"
  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,459
    wow hard to believe its only 12 years old
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons
    Dave0176ethicalpaul
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
    edited April 2019
    Bit more progress.



    DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
    NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
    Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

    https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

    I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
  • lchmb
    lchmb Member Posts: 2,997
    looking good!! Sad to see the old boiler in that condition. I am curious though, why the double drop?
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
    lchmb said:

    looking good!! Sad to see the old boiler in that condition. I am curious though, why the double drop?

    That main starts off as a counterflow.
    DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
    NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
    Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

    https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

    I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,883
    @Dave0176 Excellent looking job. Always nice to see such nice work
    Dave0176ethicalpaul
  • lchmb
    lchmb Member Posts: 2,997
    that explains that.. thanks!!
  • mikeg2015
    mikeg2015 Member Posts: 1,194
    For the Hartford loop, are you just using a Y strainer and removing the strainer basket? I Haven’t seen any plain Y fittings anywhere.
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,416
    No it’s a wye fitting @mikeg2015
    Dave0176
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
    mikeg2015 said:

    For the Hartford loop, are you just using a Y strainer and removing the strainer basket? I Haven’t seen any plain Y fittings anywhere.

    My supply house gets them in on my request, not cheap however. These are made by Anvil, Ward doesn't manufacture them anymore.
    DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
    NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
    Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

    https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

    I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    > @EBEBRATT-Ed said:
    > Neglect. The owner should write a book "how to ruin a 12 year old boiler"

    Or the servicer should
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    @Dave0176 , nice job
    Dave0176
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
    edited April 2019

    Neglect. The owner should write a book "how to ruin a 12 year old boiler"

    The HO just bought the house last August. The PO did have the oil service contract, just unfortunate that a lot oil companies techs don’t do good job.
    DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
    NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
    Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

    https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

    I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
  • mikeg2015
    mikeg2015 Member Posts: 1,194
    > @Dave0176 said:
    > For the Hartford loop, are you just using a Y strainer and removing the strainer basket? I Haven’t seen any plain Y fittings anywhere.
    >
    > My supply house gets them in on my request, not cheap however. These are made by Anvil, Ward doesn't manufacture them anymore.

    Did an amazon search. Holy hell $111 for a 2” wye. I’d feel compelled to paint it gold after installation.

    Local supply can probably order them for less than that... maybe.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Dave0176 said:

    Neglect. The owner should write a book "how to ruin a 12 year old boiler"

    The HO just bought the house last August. The PO did have the oil service contract, just unfortunate that a lot oil companies techs don’t do good job.
    And in this case, as in millions of others, they lost the customer as a result. The gas guys don't even have to try- the oil guys are handing them new customers on a silver platter.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    ChrisJ
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    @Steamhead & @Dave0176

    Can't even guess how many wet base boilers I have seen with the firebox full of soot and never cleaned out, especially the older stuff and larger commercial stuff Smith 28, Weil 88, Burnham etc that don't have swing out doors.

    I mean, come on you brush the boiler where do they think the stuff goes? It's in the chamber.

    I mean on the ones that burn clean and have difficult access you have to pull the burner or get in their every 3 years or so.......not every year just lazy. Flue pipe is the same thing, gotta check it once it's clean every s or so is ok if combustion is good
  • Mike Cascio
    Mike Cascio Member Posts: 143
    She’s a crusty one Mr Grinch! Nice clean install as always. What a shame a 12 year old boiler got wrecked from lack of maintenance.
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
    The HO sent me some pics he took of us .... here is my 67 yo pop still putting in steam boilers. I don’t know what I’m gonna do when he can’t do this anymore. These kids today
    won’t work this hard.
    DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
    NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
    Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

    https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

    I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
    ethicalpaul
  • LionA29
    LionA29 Member Posts: 255
    Beautiful work @Dave0176
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
    More work completed, replaced over 50’ of return piping and temporarily test fired the boiler. Getting there.......



    DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
    NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
    Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

    https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

    I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
    LionA29ethicalpaul
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    @Mike Cascio

    I think you have been watching too much Steve on You Tube LOL
    Dave0176
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    Dave, I love that jank power hookup :lol:
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
    Neild5
  • SeanBeans
    SeanBeans Member Posts: 520
    Hey @Dave0176

    Are cross fittings required in jersey on steam control piping? Or you do that for ease of cleaning?
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Ed, do you refer to the Steve with the little dog?
    He has some interesting videos, I find his approach to be quite educational with tidbits of info and usually entertaining.
    ethicalpaul
  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 851
    I'm also in NJ, no it is not code nor required to use cross tees on residential steam boilers for control piping. However, it is certainly a nice touch and pretty much guarantees the standard 1/4 inch pigtail will not get clogged. Dave goes above and beyond most of his competition.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    @JUGHNE
    Yup, that's the one. I get a kick out of that guy. He does some hacky stuff but after you watch a bunch videos you can't deny that he is a hard worker and he is no dummy. Some things are **** backwards though.

    @ScottSecor

    every place is different, I think the crosses are an ASME thing. Probably not required on residential although a good idea. In MA everything over 200,000 input is considered commercial unless installed in a house. Then they want man reset high limits on HW & Steam 2 LWCO on steam (1 with reset) and a LWCO on hot water, emergency switches outside all boiler room entrances.

    At one time in MA all the 1" piping below the water line on low water cutoffs used to have to be brass but they dropped that
    ethicalpaul
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    I have used the cross tees on boilers that have multiple devices.
    Each gets it's own 1/4" SS or brass long riser nipple off of the 1/2" black manifold.
    If the lower black piping is clear each year then the 1/4" risers are most likely clean.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Ed, his service truck is even interesting.
    A lot of stock items and he can even find them.
    I even watch the oil burner work, even though I haven't seen any oil for maybe 30 years.
    ethicalpaul
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    He's sure no steam man though
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    @ethicalpaul that's for sure, cut and slide
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    @JUGHNE
    When I started I "73" all of New England, ME, MA, CT, VT, NH,RI was 80% heated by oil. I am sure it's no where near that now but still remote areas that will probably never get natural gas. Still a lot of oil around here though
    ethicalpaul
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    ***** 5 Stars. Really sweet!
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • Mike Cascio
    Mike Cascio Member Posts: 143
    > @EBEBRATT-Ed said:
    > @Mike Cascio
    >
    > I think you have been watching too much Steve on You Tube LOL

    I suspect a lot of people watch Steve Lav on this forum! I watch it with my coworkers for lunch entertainment. We call it putting on some leakas!
    ethicalpaul