| Author |
Message |
    
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4144
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 5:56 pm: | 
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Please learn how to blow down your low water cutout switch, and how to add water to your boilers!!!!
I just left a home, new owners, 5 year old boiler.
Dry fired. Melted controls, water dripping out of the heat exchanger.
Can't be patched, and only a new boiler will solve the problem.
Check your water, blow down your switches. |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 532
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 6:09 pm: |
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I learned it just last week, and even drained the old stuff. However, there are 2 outlets I was using to drain the old water. I basically switched from one to the other. I was hoping to get to the point that there would be no rust visible in the gauge, but the rust remained toward the bottom. Since I filled up quite a few buckets of water I figured I probably did a good enough of a job. Is this assumption correct or should the gauge be pristine throughout?
Also, do I need to drain from both of those spigots, or will just one do? If the latter's the case what's the purpose of the 2 spigots?
Thanks |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 79
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 6:10 pm: |
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Wow, terrible!
"Check your water" - yes, I run water out till it runs clear once a week during heating season, then fill it back up to the middle of the glass.
"Blow down your switches" - what is this? is there something more I should be doing regularly? (if you don't mind my asking for free advice)
thanks and happy weekend!
MC |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 278
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 6:41 pm: |
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That is precisely why most new residential steam boiler installations no longer include that type of low water protection device.
The probe-type low water cut off is being installed overwhelmingly as compared to the old float style.
The probe-type requires no maintenance by the homeowner and is simply cleaned annually as part of a routine service agreement, which is recommended by all U.S. boiler manufacturers.
It also includes electrical terminals allowing for the installation of an audible alarm or warning light when water is low.
Float-type cut offs, the kind you need to flush every week, are simply old technology and are nearly obsolete in a residential setting.
Joe:
What the original poster is trying to convey is that if you have a float type low water cut off, you must flush it out or "blow it down" once a week.
No one should be draining water from those little hose spigots found around the boiler and surrounding area.
You may very well be doing more harm than good. Remember: There is little you can do to harm your boiler more than to add fresh water to it. That is a fact.
Fresh water is corrosive to your boiler and all its parts.
If you have a probe-type low water cut off, you need not drain anything on a weekly basis. Once the boiler water is reasonably clean, you are finished until, in most cases, next year.
Master Plvmber
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mimosa
Citizen
Username: Mimosa
Post Number: 166
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 9:29 pm: |
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Well then where do you drain the water from, if not the spigot? |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 279
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 9:40 am: |
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There is a lever attached to the bottom of the float-type low water cut off.
Push that up or down, however yours is positioned, to release a quart of water or so.
Much older units use a round-handled valve. Some are even spring-loaded to close automatically when you let go of them. (anti-scald protection)
If all you have are hose spigots, use them once or twice a year at the most.
Master Plvmber |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 80
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 3:02 pm: |
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Thanks MP! |
mimosa
Citizen
Username: Mimosa
Post Number: 167
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2004 - 7:25 pm: |
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Thank you Master Plumber...
Should this draining happen when the boiler is not cranking on high? or does it matter? My husband drained it today (the boiler was going full blast) and the pipes have been clanging. He has lost the water level line so it seems that it is overfilled...is that possible? Do we drain out more water? |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 285
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 11:06 am: |
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First, try to get the water level back to where it ought to be.
I like to flush the boiler when it is hottish, but certainly not running. Remember you have to replace what you take out and you don't want to add cold water to a hot boiler.
Master Plvmber |
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