Drop header

… and why would you install a dropped header when you have all that space above the boiler? Extra pipe and fittings laying around?

The only reason I don't like drop headers is I think they look funny😊

To me with long risers and skimming the water stays in the boiler and there is no need for a drop header and the extra fittings.

I have yet to hear of someone who piped and skimmed the boiler correctly with a standard header and had issues.

Do what is easier to pipe drop header or not.

One thing to bear in mind. Ideally, there would be no water carry over. Realistically, people aren't maintaining their water quality the way some of the steam fanatics on this website are. Which is a shame, but it is what it is. Most customers are not willing to pay for the multiple visits and cleanings and skimmings, after installation and down the road. Which means that there will be a good chance of some water carryover. Which adds value to the drop header, which is a one-time investment.

Of course every boiler gets skimmed. Goes without saying. But an acceptable degree of skimming, does not guarantee perfectly dry Steam. @ethicalpaul for example, has done an extraordinary job, getting his water cleanliness and pH level.. to an exceptional level. And maintaining as such. Super commendable.Above and beyond what is expected from an acceptable level from your average installation. I don't think it is expected, from your average installer, to perform multiple skims and the multiple revisits and re-water treatments, to ensure that everything about the water quality is absolutely perfect. Sure that would be ideal. But don't think your average customer is paying for that. You're basic skin and water treatment. Sure. Multiple visits.. don't think so.

I agree with basically everyone in this thread, because everybody is saying true things.

I will just say that yes I pay too much attention to my boiler, but it doesn't need to be that way to have good water. All you need is the initial skimming sessions that every boiler should get, then that's it. Even without treatment, as Jamie and others have found, the water will be fine with something as simple as a little flushing once per season.

I wouldn't call it the final step. If you don't do it at installation time, you are sentencing your client to experiencing a lot of banging and surging.

The washing soda treatment followed by skimming on the day of installation is a good start, but then yes expect another skimming session or several after some time passes.

video must live somewhere else and be linked here

Beautiful job Gary!! Mad Dog

Old houses, wierd stuff.

Very nice job.

I am a little jealous that the ceiling appears to be taller than me, the basement is not loaded with fifty years of "collectables," and there is more than one dim forty watt light bulb.

Steam as dry as the Sahara desert.

Dog probably threads them by hand! One hand, all day long.

You don't have a Ridgid 141?

I'm honestly surprised. I assume not enough work to justify it?

Never needed to buy one because the big union shops I worked for let me borrow or use if needed. Any more involved jobs, I sketched out to pre fab shops. Makes more sense fiscally as I can do more thinking and supervising. Mad Dog