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Message |
    
margotsc
Citizen
Username: Margotsc
Post Number: 25
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, October 4, 2003 - 8:23 pm: |     |
I need help with a little marital debate. My husband insists we don't need to service our steam heat, gas-powered furnace every year (he already bled it and it seems to be working fine), but I am dubious. I will admit that the company that came last year charged over $100 and was here for maybe 20 minutes. They didn't seem to do much except wash the glass water gauge. I'm nervous because this is only our second winter in the house and who knows what the previous owner did or didn't do. If we decide to do this, how often does it need to be done, how much should it cost and what should I ask the service company to do? We anxiously await your advice! |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 230
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 4, 2003 - 9:31 pm: | |
If you decide to go with a service agreement for piece of mind, I recommend using a reputable company for the service. I recommend Gateway Plumbing. As a matter of fact I think its worth the visit for them to at least look at it an tell you if anything looks out of the ordinary or may become a problem down the road. Theyll also tell you what their service contract covers so you can decide whether its good for you or not. (I do not have a service agreement with any company)
Bleeding or draining down the boiler is preventative maintenance but does not completely purge the system of the filthy stuff. Everytime your boiler fires up it is essentially steam cleaning your pipes. Alot of that filth runs back down into the boilers so its good to drain it periodically.
However, tap water has many minerals that are actually harmful to the system but cannot be avoided because the boiler requires water to make steam. Thats why its actually not good to purge too much. Once the system boils the water and breaks down the minerals the old water is actually good as long as it doesnt get too thick. Drain it down till the water just starts to clear up.
Tanks should be flushed every few years depending on their age and usage. Your husband is correct in that Steam heat systems are a pretty straight forward system and require little maintenance. As a matter of fact, I found out that my system would work during a power outage. Thats pretty cool. A well maintained boiler should last for years and years. (Mine is 45 years old and running great, knock on wood) Therefore it is important to drain it down during the heavy use periods to keep the water from thickening up. I drain mine bi-weekly in the winter.
A good website for steam heat is: http://www.heatinghelp.com/
The guys around here turned me onto this site and it provided a wealth of information on troubleshooting, resolving common problems etc. Its really a simple yet fascinating system. For some reason (My wife still wonders why) it intrigues me.
There are more experienced people round here than me with these type of systems. I hope they chime in on this thread and I sure hope I got all my facts right or theyll jump all over me.
Best of luck |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3168
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2003 - 10:30 pm: | |
The pro's on the heatinghelp.com site often refer to the bible of books on steam heat. "The Lost Art of Steam Heating"
That book will tell you to pretty much leave the thing alone. Blow it down once a week in the season, (go light on the amount)have it flushed and check every 5 years or so and you will be ok.
If you are a tad handy, you can flush it your self and adding one additive (colliods)will help keep all that junk out of the system. Again, you can do it quite easly yourself.
A few of us have posted the directions in the past, and if you can't find them or have a question, just ask. I can even be talked into poping over to give you a lesson. Many have taken my class.
If you want to be even safer, install a CO alarm in the area. Now you are all set to go.
Enjoy,
George
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margotsc
Citizen
Username: Margotsc
Post Number: 26
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, October 6, 2003 - 8:25 am: | |
I was secretly hoping that JGBerkeley would join the discussion! I will print this out right now and it give it to my (handy) husband. I may also take a try at it since it needs to flushed so frequently! Thanks to all. |
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