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.

Near Boiler Piping on steam boiler

Rem77
Rem77 Member Posts: 25
My oil company installed a new boiler at one of my properties and used the piping from the old boiler which was
2 inch. The Boiler manufacturer called for 3 inch riser and he bushed it down to 2 inches. I decided to repipe it and cut out all the old piping because I am still having the old issues of wet steam and radiators not heating. I am installing a drop header as high as possible. my question is about fittings. what is the difference between using regular unions and a flange type union ( with bolts in it )?

Thanks
Bob

Comments

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    It seems like people use the flange type on the larger pipes but I'm sure a pro will give the real answer.

    But I have to ask: you seem familiar with how the piping should be, so how is it that the contractor was able to give you piping that shouldn't be? Also, can we see pics? :)
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
    JUGHNEHVACNUT
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    @Rem77 , in those sizes we almost always use regular ground-joint unions. What make and model is the boiler?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    @Rem77

    I think using flange unions are probably more $$. IMHO 2 1/2 and up flange unions are a good idea...................not sayin I do it myself :)
    ethicalpaul
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    How long ago was the boiler installed? If recently, why isn't the oil company making the corrections? I have a lot of patience and let a lot of things slide, but that wouldn't be one of them. What's right is right.
    ethicalpaul
  • Rem77
    Rem77 Member Posts: 25
    The boiler is a Smith 19HE 4 section boiler. I argued with the installer, but he had nothing but excuses. The boiler is 1 1/2 years old. The basement has very low ceilings and in my opinion ,
    this boiler was the wrong choice for this install because of its height. My main objective in changing the size of the piping and getting it as close to the ceiling as possible is to dry the steam and solve the 50 year old problem , in this 100 year old building.
    i have attached pics of the old piping after i removed the insulation. At this moment there is no piping. it was all removed and I was able to get the reducer bushings out without having to cut them.

    Thanks
    Bob

  • Rem77
    Rem77 Member Posts: 25

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited July 2020
    If i were doing that job, due to the limited height above the boiler I'd use two 3-inch risers, going all the way to the ceiling and dropping into a 4-inch header. This would enhance the separation of steam and water.

    Where are you located?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    ethicalpaul
  • Rem77
    Rem77 Member Posts: 25
    I am located in New Rochelle NY.

    Thx
    Bob
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,162
    Not sure who works in New Rochelle -- @Dave0176 ? @Danny Scully ? Maybe @JohnNY ? @EzzyT ?

    In any case,. you have the opportunity -- as @Steamhead said -- to do a nice job there. It wasn't done. Go up to the overhead -- as high as you can -- with both risers. Then over. The down to a nice drop header just above the boiler jacket. The steam main takes off after the risers attach, and the equalizer is at the end of the line. That will give you drier steam -- and prevent the possible problem of differential expansion in that short low "header" prying the boiler sections apart.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    ethicalpaul
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 4,775
    3" Unions will need a Big Wrench and room to swing it. If you don't mind the cost nothing wrong with Flanges!
    ethicalpaul
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
    Do you think the sizing of the boiler was done properly, at least?—NBC
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    In the big scheme of things, For 3”, little difference between flange union and ground joint union except as Pecmsg stated above.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • Rem77
    Rem77 Member Posts: 25
    Thanks to all for the response.
    Bob :)
  • retiredguy
    retiredguy Member Posts: 898
    We used to use companion flanges instead of flanged unions due to the cost.
  • Rem77
    Rem77 Member Posts: 25
    Thanks for that. Cost is a factor.

    Bob
  • bleeder
    bleeder Member Posts: 30
    big pipes