Steam Boiler Replacement: Don't Make These Expensive Mistakes

RayWohlfarth · May 15

This weeks video talks about the common mistakes I have seen on steam boiler replacement projects. I would love to know your thoughts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJr7EOGvIE

Jamie Hall · May 15

Copper — destroyed a perfectly good WM 580 in about 6 months (Cedric's predecessor).

Otherwise — all good! Reads like a catalogue of Heating Help's The Wall… !

Bernie_the_Brewer · May 16

Not a pro, but how about a comment on reusing a faulty flue without inspecting?

Mad Dog_2 · May 16

You covered all bases, Ray Ray. If you're going to overlook any of the aforementioned tasks, do not even take steam boiler replacement work. You will be doing everyone a great disservice.

Last winter we replaced two, 12 year old Weil Mc Clain LGB-8s in an historic Hudson Valley Church ⛪️. The Boilers had unnecessary F&T Traps that clogged over the years and helped cause dry-firing of both boilers, Zero Combustion Air provisions which lead to both boilers carbonizing as well.

On Top of all of this, The Church had been paying for an expensive maintenance contract but the automatic and Manual reset LWCOs were clogged and failed to prevent total boiler failures.

If you're going to tackle Steam work and want to be successful, going All-In is the only path to Victory. Mad Dog

RayWohlfarth · May 16

@Bernie_the_Brewer that’s a video on itself Thanks great point

RayWohlfarth · May 16

@Mad Dog_2 it baffles me why we don’t more boiler accidents Lots of poorly maintained boilers

Mad Dog_2 · May 16

They were extremely lucky and had The Lord looking over them. All the electronic controls and wiring were fried too! We make sure ALL of our boiler installations from a Small residental job on up get a Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Boiler Interlock for added safety and protection of Life and Property. Mad Dog

Steamhead · May 16

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896660#Comment_1896660

What did you replace them with?

Mad Dog_2 · May 16

One LGB -10 and One LGB-5. The Sanctuary (LGB-10) and upper level of the Church gets used only 3 hours every Sunday, so we seperated the systems and ran the first floor on its own new mains 3" and 2 1/2" and Returns. The First Floor is used 7 Days a week for Meals-on-Wheels, Bingo, Et Cetera.

We expect to see a healthy drop in fuel usage. We now have both systems humming along on 12 ounces and 8 ounces, respectively,of Steam Vapor. Mad Dog