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Steam boilers that are piped wrong

Snowmelt
Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,436

Correct me if I’m wrong, but these boilers that are pipe wrong now is because boilers have less volume of water? Boiler lasted 20 years, not 40 like I would like to see them. How do you tell a customer that the old way isn’t going to work ……..

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Comments

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,374

    Start by showing them the manual.

    Mad Dog_2mattmia2
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,927
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    pecmsgMad Dog_2
  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,436

    that’s what I was planing on doing ? Any other tips

  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 998

    We see poor installs often. I question how a horribly piped boiler or system can sometimes last thirty, forty or even fifty years. I am not talking about antique boilers that were converted from coal to oil to gas. I am talking about relatively modern boilers manufactured in the last fifty years. I have also seen boilers piped near perfectly last as little as nine years. I think a lot of it depends on the boiler design, the water quality and maintenance.

    Show the customer how you plan to pipe the boiler and why it is important. Also, let them know the system will perform better when your done, and why. Do not pick on the last guy.

    Mad Dog_2
  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,436

    thanks Scott

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,353

    Many of the old time boilers just came up out of the boiler into the supply pipe with no header. If they had two supplies and had two tapping's the boiler was the header.

    The newer boilers hold less water and a smaller steam to water disengaging area=more velocity. You need the header to slow things down to separate the steam and water

    Mad Dog_2mattmia2
  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,436

    Ed, that was the more or less answer I was looking for

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,790

    If the water and the pipe diameter is right the header/equalizer isn't necessary (as proven by myself as well as all these existing installs out there doing fine)…but that can be a big "if". It's good insurance that shouldn't be skipped.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,436

    Paul, can you explain what you said like I was a 5 year old…..

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 13,779

    The condition of the rest of the system is critical to the life of the oiler too. If it is losing water because of bad vents or leaking returns or leaking valves or hanging on to condensate that will kill the boiler too.