Steam boiler maintenance

[notnatalie.livejournal.com]

Can anyone give a recommendation of someone who will come out and show me around my Burnham steam boiler and what my maintenance routine should be? I know I'm supposed to periodically drain and refill, but am nervous to do it on my own the first time. I'm looking for someone who will walk me through the basics - it could be a plumber or just anyone else who owns one and can show a newbie (I'd pay). I've been here over two years and haven't done anything at all yet. I don't want to contact NStar, they won't do this during heating season and I feel I kinda got ripped off by them when I signed up for their special plan two years ago (it included an annual maintenance but they never tell you can only get it during the off-heating season, so I missed out)

Comments

[tober.livejournal.com]

Since you mention NStar, I am assuming that your steam boiler is powered by natural gas, not by oil. That makes it somewhat less maintenance intensive - any device with an oil burner should have maintenance of the burner system and combustion chamber annually. It's reasonable but not critical to have a gas burner inspected yearly as well. Burner inspection and maintenance, be it for oil or for gas, should be done by a professional. For an oil boiler or furnace the combustion chamber should be cleaned yearly and it's not a bad idea to clean the combustion chamber in a gas-burning system either but it generally doesn't really get sooty as with oil. In any case, all the aforementioned is not really DIY maintenance unless you absolutely know what you're doing.

User maintenance for a steam boiler is generally the following tasks:
- If the system does not have an automatic filler, periodically (weekly is usually often enough) checking and adjusting the water level so that it is approximately at the mid-point of the boiler sight glass. It's not a bad idea but to check it once in a while even if there is an automatic filler, to assure that the filler is working properly.
- Flushing the system. This should be performed at least annually, maybe twice annually. It must be done with the system turned off and either somewhat warm or completely cold but not while the system is hot and under pressure.
- Adjustment of air vents and inlet valves on radiators, not always necessary but typically at the beginning of each heating season. Also, settling of buildings and pipes can cause radiators and horizontal runs of piping to lose their required pitch (all radiators must be pitched slightly downward toward the inlet end and all horizontal runs of pipe must be pitched slightly downward in the direction towards the boiler). Generally, if your system operates relatively quietly (no hammering) and all the radiators get approximately equally hot, this stuff is all good.
- If the system has a pilot light, lighting it at the beginning of the heating season and if it ever goes out. The pilot light should be extinguished at the end of the heating season in order to save gas. You should definitely know how to light the pilot light as even on a system in very good repair once in a while they go out due to gas pressure changes or some air being introduced into the gas line etc. It is wise to keep on hand one of those long-handled butane "fireplace lighters" for this task.

Of this stuff, the only thing that really must be done at all frequently is checking/adjusting the water level if you don't have an automatic filler.

[notnatalie.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the thorough info! I suspect, but have no written indication, that it has an automatic filler, primarily because the water level has stayed in the center for the last 2 years. But I confess to never flushing the system, and that is what I want a walk-through. Thankfully the water is only a little rusty looking but i know its not good to have gone for so long. Luckily I have little problem with clanging or unequal heating. I also would like to learn how to extinguish and re light the pilot. The instructions are excruciatingly incomprehensible, not to mention scary.
And yes, its natural gas. Forgot that part!

[dcltdw]

We had our gas burner installed by Frank Burns, Jr, of Junior's Plumbing. 617.666.1009. My impression is that he did quality work.

But he's a bit rough around the edges. Not crass or anything, but he's not the gentle grandfather who'll patiently walk you through stuff. My impression is that Frank will be fine with chatting away while he does stuff, and he won't rip you off. So if that's good enough, woo! But if someone else says, "Oh, talk to Jane Scott or John Brown -- they're awesome teachers!", then I might go with that instead.

[notnatalie.livejournal.com]

Thanks - he sounds like someone I could call for problems, but I am looking for want someone who is a good "explainer" as I will have notebook in hand trying to write out very clear instructions for myself.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I always like to recommend Prospect Hill Plumbing (617-776-2795 / www.phplumbing.com). They did my furnace replacement a few years ago when I switched from oil to gas heat, so they know furnaces. And they definitely strike me as the types who would love to explain your furnace to you in great detail.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

a geeky guy:

http://www.brownianheating.com/

he might be able to, or might be able to point you to someone. he works "all over" new england is my understanding.

#

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

i just wanted to say thanks for posting this question, as this may become timely for me if we successfully buy the home we are looking at!

[notnatalie.livejournal.com]

Good luck! I put call in to Prospect Hill Plumbing and will see if they are interested enough to call back (and if you are looking for a RE agent to help, I can recommend Kelly Burke at Benoit. He got me my place with full integrity in what turned out to be not a simple negotiation)