I could do this. we're licensed & Insured.

website: Thetinkerswagon.com

we only do small jobs.

Steve

347-813-9635

Posted by: stepkocym at February 16, 2009 2:00 AM in response to Beam Repair Anyone?

this is something I can help with. I've installed trim supporting plexiglass around these many times.

My company is The Tinker's Wagon. www.thetinkerswagon.com

Steve
347-813-9635

Posted by: stepkocym at February 15, 2009 9:13 AM in response to Skylight Not Sealed

Before changing the thermostat, I would look at the radiator vents. The vents on the top floor should have larger orifices. the vents on the lower floors should have smaller orifices. also, experimenting with the vent size in the room with the thermostat will impact this. This is an inexpensive effort that should be done prior to changing the thermostat.

One other thing. there is a pressure setting on the boiler. That can be raised and the boiler will run until the pressure is a little higher - pushing steam further. this is something a boilerperson should do (not me or you).

If you have any questions or need help with the vents, please feel free to look at my website:

thetinkerswagon.com

You may call me, my number is in the website.

Steve

Posted by: stepkocym at February 15, 2009 9:06 AM in response to Programmable Thermostat....

In addition to adjusting the size of the vents (I did this in a three story building and it made a tremendous difference) you can also get a thermostat with a remote sensor. This way the boiler will not shut off until the correct temp is reached in the location of the sensor - which should be on the top floor in a room that does not get direct sunlight.

Posted by: JoeBushwick at February 15, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Programmable Thermostat....

if the heat is "trickling" all day, that probably means that the boiler is short cycling and will end up running up a huge gas valve...it sounds like, as mp said, a bad installation of probably an oversize boiler (your installer probably read the btu rating on the old boiler and replaced it with the same size instead of running a heating calculation}...do not raise the pressure setting, a steam boiler should run at about half a pound pressure.. get a heating professional to balance the system, including checking any and all steam vents on all floors, correcting the problem, instead of attempting a patchwork approach with the thermostat

Posted by: eman1234 at February 16, 2009 3:43 PM in response to Programmable Thermostat....

that should have been "huge gas bill"..oops

Posted by: eman1234 at February 16, 2009 4:23 PM in response to Programmable Thermostat....

I agree with eman, do NOT raise the pressure in the system...this will not PUSH the steam faster through the system. Balancing will definitely help (distance from the radiator is important in vent size, as well as radiator size)...aside from changing the air valves for size, you can try to install a non-electric thermostatic air vent valve in place of the existing air valves in the hotter rooms. This can help to lessen the heat to the radiators, but will allow you to increase it again if needed. This is a safe way to "regulate" heat in a one pipe steam system. A proper heat calculation of the existing radiation will let you know if the boiler is too big. Do you know if this was done before the new installation?

Posted by: Brooklyn Plumber at February 24, 2009 9:47 PM in response to Programmable Thermostat....