Series 63 steam boiler install — is diagonal near-boiler piping OK? Base rust/shim concern

That is fine. Not the most solid, perfect block foundation for under the boiler perhaps, but it's not going anywhere.

They left a nice skim tapping setup on there, did they run washing soda through it and skim it in their mad rush to finish?

I like this install very much although it appears that the two mains hook together above the water line which is Not Good™ if that is indeed the case

If it's quiet and not having any problems why is it too high?

HL could be the camera angle. Otherwise the conduit is crooked and needs to be supported within 3' of the switch box but I am nit picking.

I don't care for the looks of the diagonal equalizer but it will work ok. Why use a 90 and 2 45s when 2 90s would have done it if they had the right nipples.

Top of Hartford Loop Close Nipple is supposed to be 2 to 4 in. below the Normal Water Level. Also, the equalizer is supposed to be 1-1/4 in.

The pipes at a 45 instead of horizontal and vertical is preferable, you won't get water collecting in the pipe on a 45. The returns connecting above the water line is a problem and looks like it was that way with the old boiler, unless we are missing something about where those pipes go.

the equalizer being bigger than the minimum in the manual isn't a problem.

Is this a 1 pipe system?

The collection of leftover masonry products under the boiler could cause too much secondary air if this boiler is designed to be installed only on a solid surface and is relying on the floor to close off the bottom of the boiler.

I had to replace my 12 yr old Crown after Jamie Hall correctly diagnosed that it had a hole in it 4 yrs ago. I talked to over a dozen local installers and created a short list of 3. The other 9 were summarily dismissed since all they did was to look at the label on the Crown and send me a quote. Since I had no desire to do the install myself, I used a hybrid approach-

1 Educated myself on how to size the new boiler, scanned various brands and models and picked PB closest to my EDR. Identified what else needed to be done to the piping. In my case, I needed to eliminate a bullhead Tee and create two separate mains. Also needed to re-hang sagging pipes.

2 Told the short listed vendors I wanted that boiler installed+ the piping changes, checked out their customer references- min. 1 boiler installed in the past 5 yrs.

3. In the contract I put in a clause that said the near boiler piping had to be exactly to the mfg. spec using black iron pipes and US made fittings. Attached the PB schematic to the contract. Crucially, I reserved the option to inspect the work as it progressed to ensure that it met the spec including withholding progress payments if deviations were not corrected.

Using this hybrid approach is not without downside risks. But they are be manageable. After returning from work on day 1 of the install, the contractor had made so many mistakes the It was clear he was not reading the PB schematic, and I had to take a few days off from work to monitor his work in real time.

Post installation, the boiler ran for a long time before the rads became hot. I was unaware that when you have a section of counter-flow mains in your system, you need to install drips. This was immediately pointed out by EBERBRATT-Ed and KC Jones. In retrospect, I should have posted pics of my mains on this forum in the context of my install. The PB manual does not account for counter-flow mains, hence it was not in the contract.

Rather than hire a contractor with 30 yrs experience, go for someone with 5-10 yrs experience, with low self-esteem, willing to take direction from you, willing to enter into a contract on your terms and then stay on top of the install as it progresses. Reach out to people here when in doubt ,and carve out a time to pray every day for deliverance; you will need it.

The alternative is to smash your head against a brick wall of incompetence and ignorance unless you live in an area that is served by a handful of contractors registered here.

That’s a unique way to hire a contractor, low self esteem is what you’re seeking? It’s clear you hired a guy that just nodded his head every time you asked a question. The Steam Guys don’t have to read the manual to know how to pipe the counterflow mains.

Most people are not willing to pay for a correct installation and repair of what others have done. Most often I am told, "But it worked before..." Many homeowners blame the contractor, but when the contractor suggests the right way to do an install, and the homeowner doesnt want it, you do the job the way you can get paid. You can only lead a horse to water. If you want to hang over a young heating contractor with little experience, and convince him that you know best even though you've only had experience with the boiler in your own basement, good luck, and be ready to cut some checks.