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December 3, 2007
Routine boiler maintenance
I have an 8 year old Weil-McClain boiler. I drain the rusty sediment on a weekly basis during the heating season. What other maintenance is needed? Also, does a constantly hissing steam valve on a radiator indicate need for replacement? Thanks.
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I let Vigilante do my annual maintenance for about $200, just for piece of mind.
I've been told that a constantly hissing valve needs to be replaced. I believe they shut off when the steam pressure reaches a certain point. Larger valves require more pressure before they close.
Posted by: cornetor at December 3, 2007 1:25 PM
Gateway is about $160.00 for a maintenance visit, Con Ed has vendors they recommend at the same price point, Vigilante is just too expensive and like many vendors that come into your house, I am sorry to say, IMO you need to stay and watch them do the work the whole time.
Valves come with numbers and even a few letters. The holes and pressure tolerances are different for each one. The radiators closer to the boiler (garden level) require different numbers than the radiators farther away (top floor). I'm sure master plumber will catch this thread and comment from the professional side.
Posted by: guest at December 3, 2007 1:55 PM
The air vents (or valves) close when steam reaches them. They should not hiss when they are hot and they should not pass steam.
A rise in pressure can close an air vent but that's never their intended function.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at December 3, 2007 3:56 PM
Thnks for the replies. What does boiler maintenance visit involve? How often is it needed?
Posted by: brickstone at December 3, 2007 9:37 PM
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