Considerations when removing an old boiler
Hi All,
I'd appreciate some input on considerations for removing my old hydronic boiler, its a Burnham Series 22a from the mid 1970s.
How much might it weigh? Has to be taken out of a basement up a flight of stairs with a turn at the top.
Should I attempt to dismantle it at all? Might it contain asbestos, so this should be avoided?
Thanks!
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That should weigh about 500 pounds. If you are careful and have three men and a boy, you may be able to get the cast iron out in one piece. If you are alone, then you can separate each section and take them out one at a time.
That is a lot more work, and the stuff that spills out of the water side will make a real mess of your carpets.
In the 1970s Asbestos was still in many heating systems and may be part of the cement that seals the joints between the sections and in the gaskets that seal the flue collector to the cast iron. It is not as lot, but it could be there.
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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It came in in 1 piece so it can go out in 1 piece if you know how to do it. I worked alone most of the time so I would take it apart.
Drain it and cut it loose from the piping. Dump a bag of speedy dry on the floor to soak up any water, dust and soot.
Remove all the controls and jacket and burners and the cast iron sections will come off the base.
This will remove some weight then you can decide whether to take the CI block out in 1 piece or dismantle it.
Could it contain asbestos? Yes.
If it does the amount will be very small.
Your other options are a junk dealer, or an asbestos removal company will probably take the whole thing.
Find an asbestos abatement company send them pictures and they can give you a price.
a couple of hours work for 1 guy that knows how to do it.
less than 100,000 btu I seriously doubt 500# Probably 250ish.
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@EdTheHeaterMan Thank you for the suggestions, I do plan on having some help in the physical removal.
@EBEBRATT-Ed Appreciate these insights as well, the boiler is specifically 5-22a so its a bit over 100kbtu at 120k.
I am planning to have the new unit installed by a contractor but if I remove the old unit myself it would be $1200 off.
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trust me
pay the $1200
It’s cheaper than the medical bills
remember once you get it out of the building you still have to dispose of it.
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That's cast iron sectional, so it's heavy — probably 400-700 lbs assembled depending on how many sections it has.
Good news is these aren't one solid piece. They're held together with tie rods, so you can pull it apart into individual sections (maybe 60-100 lbs each) instead of carrying the whole thing up the stairs at once. Way safer and easier.
On asbestos — for a boiler this age, assume yes until proven otherwise. Common spots are the rope gasket between sections and the jacket insulation. Don't cut or grind into any of that dry. If you're not sure, get it tested or bring in someone who's done pre-80s boiler removals before.
Tom Gabison|National Boiler Supply
https://www.nationalboilersupply.comTom Gabison|National Boiler Supply
https://www.nationalboilersupply.com1 -
I wouldn't call it an appliance - could confuse people. It's several hundred pounds MORE. Safely removing a Boiler out of a basement is much more experience and finesse than brute force and guts. Damage to body parts and the building are much more costly than hiring guys that do this every day for a living. Mad Dog
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@Mad Dog_2 Understood, appliance is just the category its fits under for them. I confirmed they would take specifically a boiler. And it would be only from the curb so it would be my responsibility to get it that far.
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my local garbage collectors made me break down the sections. They do have weight limits
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X-2
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Just removing those cast iron burners would shave off some …
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If its not safe to remove in one piece, a lump hammer and flat chisel will make short work of it to split the sections. Have plenty of rags and speedy dry or cat litter.
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That boiler is not as large as everyone thinks.
I had an old Crane boiler in my house 125,000 input. Crane sold-out to Burnham so it may be the same or similar boiler. The Burnham in the picture looks like the same CI burners I had. Two people could take that out in one piece without much trouble. Strip the jacket , burners and controls and base off it.
I took it apart because I was alone. I think it had 5 little sections (maybe it was 4). I was 67 at the time and I could very easily pick up a section and carry it. But I was used to moving Smith #28 sections that the front and back sections are 800# or more. We used Johnson Bars, Chain falls, come a longs and hand trucks wherever we could.
Once you strip the jacket, controls, burners and base it is not very intimidating, The amount of asbestos is negligeable. I would wet it down and scoop it up. Replaced it with this Peerless which I also moved in myself. Piece of cake the new one is a
PSCII-03 330lbs in the crate. Installed during COVID October 2020
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i mean you don't technically need it but it would look a lot better with a couple more half concrete blocks
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The boiler sections extend below the jacket, and all sections are sitting on the blocks. If I had blocks in front nothing would be touching them.
besides I sold it as soon as the boiler was installed 6 years ago.
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