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Can you please critique this boiler setup that was installed in my house two wks ago

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RCooper
RCooper Member Posts: 14

Greetings please tell me what you think I will also add more pics.

IMG_5068.jpeg IMG_5069.jpeg IMG_5081.jpeg

Comments

  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 865

    From the Peerless manual. Note the takeoff from the header needs to be after the two riser connections to the header:

    image.png
    IronmanMad Dog_2ethicalpaulRCooper
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,505

    It stinks (since you asked).

    Ironmanmattmia2WaherEdTheHeaterMan
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,458

    5 section boiler calls for 2 2" risers or 1 3" riser. As others have mentioned its piped wrong but the fix is easy.

    Remove the 2" riser that is between the building supply and the equalizer and cap the boiler and the tee.

    Remove the other 2" riser and install a 3" riser. Easy to go back to the flange and make it a three elbow swing joint with 3 90s

    Alan (California Radiant) ForbesRCooperEdTheHeaterManGrallert
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,377

    The Incorrect piping would likely void the warranty if you have any issues down the line..near and far. Mad Dog

    RCooperEdTheHeaterMan
  • leonz
    leonz Member Posts: 1,749

    I am speaking as a homeowner here, I agree completely with Mad Dog.

    As it is a new install they should come back and remove their mistake, install the factory approved plumbing per the diagram and also install a double drop header to make dry steam for you ONLY after they take that wrong plumbing apart to fix it.

    You have the basement ceiling height and clearances to install and use a double drop header to your advantage to make drier steam that will heat your radiators faster and in the process they will hold the heat longer.

    I WOULD NOT FIRE THAT BOILER unless the plumbing is corrected AND the boiler is placed back on that single course of fire bricks to prevent water damage from a flooded basement ruining your new boilers base.

    Please provide us with more pictures of the install as I/We need to see where the low water cut off switch is or the water feeder/cut off switch is if used and where the mud leg drain tapping is as well as the boiler sump drain valve.

    Stick to your conviction as this must be corrected!!! You have already spent a great deal of money for a reliable heating boiler to make steam and the plumbing for it should be equally reliable for trouble free operation and the diagram shows how it should be done.

    You have the ceiling height to take advantage of a double drop header to make better dry steam for your home heating needs

    RCooper
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,907

    In your previous post from almost 2 years ago it was clearly outlined that this piping was incorrect, and it's still incorrect. @EdTheHeaterMan took some time in that thread to photoshop your pictures to show how it should be piped, the installer needs to fix it as you paid for a proper install that they didn't give you. For anyone that knows even a little about steam, the piping you have is one of the most egregious errors that can be made. That is one reason Peerless has specific documentation (posted above) to address the problem.

    Given the improper piping and their inability to see that, I'd be very curious how they sized the new one, I'd guess they oversized it too.

    Was Mr. Gill not available to do the work or are you outside his service area?

    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    ethicalpaulMad Dog_2SuperTechRCooper
  • Jackmartin
    Jackmartin Member Posts: 202

    I never fail to be amazed at " my fellow" tradesman. What you have is a classic example of " magical thinking" that is defined as not knowing what you are doing but you think it is correct. Magical thinking. Piping in a bioler to the uneducated a simple matter of hooking up pipes, what could be easier? Then we take it to the next level the heart surgeon says just hook up the pipes it should work, magical thinking. Please getsomeone who knows what they are doing the present mess completely viods your warranty. Be Safe Jack

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,543

    @RCooper this is the adjusted photo from last year

    Screenshot 2025-12-04 at 2.40.41 PM.png

    I hope that you did not pay in full yet

    this is what you have and how the installer should have done the job

    Screenshot 2025-12-04 at 2.41.21 PM.png

    Your installer did not follow everyones suggestions from last year

    Untitled Image

    or even follow the instructions in the book that comes with the boiler you purchased.

    Screenshot 2025-12-04 at 3.05.07 PM.png

    They even provicee the exact pipe fittings and pipe nipples you need to do the job. You realy need to be an ****** to get this wrong. You hired an *******. I hope this ******* wants to be reputable and come back and do it right.

    (******* = descriptive noun of your choice)

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    RCooper
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,052

    Oh man, that's terrible.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • angelotrivelli
    angelotrivelli Member Posts: 41

    @RCooper don't feel bad. Mine is far worse. At least they used iron pipe! I would like to hear if the plumber comes back to fix it and what his excuse is.

    Wish I knew enough to even question correctness when mine was done 13 years ago.

    RCooper
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,458

    If anyone thinks he is coming back to fix it after a year he is long gone

    MaxMercy
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,052

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    GGrossRCooper
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,754
    edited December 4

    if you paid bycredit card dispute the payment!

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,458

    @ChrisJ

    KC Jones mentioned the post was from 2 years ago??? Don't know.

    ChrisJ
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,052

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,754
    edited December 4

    and the advise given was not followed!


    low bidder?

    mattmia2EdTheHeaterManMaxMercyRCooper
  • MaxMercy
    MaxMercy Member Posts: 552

    It looks like they disconnected and jacked up the original piping, slipped out the old boiler, and slid the new one in its place using a few fittings.

    RCooper
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 26,538

    is this new boiler currently operating?

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • mattmich
    mattmich Member Posts: 217

    » ..and slid the new one in its place using a few fittings.

    That's exactly what happened.

    Ed-the-photoshop-man did a great job, though.. that's what should have been done, and it wouldn't have been much more expensive.

    The main question is, how well does it work? If it's OK I'd leave it alone.
    If it sends half the water up the main, you need to have a heart-to-heart with your installer.

    Below is a picture of my old boiler, a 175 MBTU/hour Weil McLain.
    The piping is even worse, with no swing joints and a colliding header, but it worked fine for 30+ years. The 2.5" risers were probably the saving grace; yours might be the oversized header pipes… they're humongous — four inches?

    There are many threads on this site with terrible intallations that actually worked OK in the field.

    cheers -matt

    image.png
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,458

    @mattmich we have all seen jobs that are piped wrong that worked. but the OP (I hope) paid for the correct install. It should be fixed on the contractors dime. He didn't read (or couldn't read) the boiler manual. If the boiler fails due to the wrong piping is Peerless going to cover the warranty?

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,447

    if you want to go further, the code requires it be installed following the manufacturer's instructions so it is not installed to code.

    RCooper
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,543

    After reading @EBEBRATT-Ed's earliest post, I have this doctored photo that is be the easiest fix for you @RCooper.

    Screenshot 2025-12-04 at 2.41.21 PM.png

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    ChrisJMaxMercyGGrossRCooper
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,458

    and @EdTheHeaterMan even patched the hole in the boiler jacket!!

    GGrossEdTheHeaterManRCooperCanucker
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,543

    I only has some gray sheetmetal from an old Honeywell Aquastat cover laying around to put under the hole. I used epoxy but you can use screws

    🤣

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,052

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    EdTheHeaterMan
  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 865

    I would demand that they come back and fix this per the manual using either one of the two "correct" configurations @EdTheHeaterMan provided. Here is the manual including for a 63-05. Use it in your argument.

    RCooper
  • RCooper
    RCooper Member Posts: 14
    edited December 8

    Thanks for all the replies and insights to answer my question. I only remembered this website after doing a search through my emails in order to send a msg to the company that did my install and this was after the install was "completed". I printed out all of the replies/ diagrams detailing the proper install esp the posts from Edtheheaterman (thanks!) The company that did the install is scheduled to come by today. I have also just ordered the book "We got steam heat" in digital and paperback in the future I will use GW Gill Plumbing and heating.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,754

    Mistakes happen……………. How the contractor deals with them shows their true character.

    Keep us informed.

    RCooperIronmanethicalpaulSukhoi29SU
  • RCooper
    RCooper Member Posts: 14

    Well they didnt show up I got a cal from their salesman saying they will reach out to me once installer is available. I am sending them via certified mail a complaint in writing along with pics of current installation, correct installation etc.

    Grallertethicalpaulleonz
  • leonz
    leonz Member Posts: 1,749

    Keep copies of your correspondence as well as pictures and a copy of the installation manual for your attorney as this may very well get messy with a lot of stonewalling.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,754

    once lawyers get envolved it’s just cheaper to buy new!

    RCooper
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,458

    Don't fight with them yet if they are willing to come back. The first thing the judge will say is not how it was badly installed but did you give them a chance to fix it.

    RCooper
  • RCooper
    RCooper Member Posts: 14
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,754

    and have they come back to correct it?

  • RTW
    RTW Member Posts: 253

    On a positive note, at least this customer got the premier residential boiler. I believe Peerless years ago took over the residential Smith Boiler division ( Smith Boiler decided to focus on commercial) and Smith's reputation always had standards and excellent quality

    So installation aside, seems he got the best boiler, though others on this site are more qualified to opine

    Regards,

    RTW

    RCooper
  • RCooper
    RCooper Member Posts: 14

    Had a great visit from

    GW Gill he gave a diagnosis of the installation gonna send it to the installer

    mattmia2Ironmanreggileonz