Removing Old Boiler?
I recently purchased a 100-year old 1-family rowhouse in Crown Heights. In the basement (beside the new boiler) is the ancient coal boiler that looks like a space ship. It is large, heavy, falling apart. I am pretty sure there is asbestos in there. I want to have it removed – any suggestions on who…
I recently purchased a 100-year old 1-family rowhouse in Crown Heights. In the basement (beside the new boiler) is the ancient coal boiler that looks like a space ship. It is large, heavy, falling apart. I am pretty sure there is asbestos in there. I want to have it removed – any suggestions on who might do such a job and what it might cost?
Thanks!
Thanks everyone – for your interest and advice. I did call National Grid – unless you are replacing your system with them, they dont do this sort of thing. I also called Petro, whose big sticker is on my boiler and who I buy my oil from, they also dont do this sort of thing unless they installed the boiler. But, both companies gave me recommendations on who to call, made my calls and got quotes from $400 to $2,000, but of course seeing what the job actually entailed would garner much more realistic numbers. Problem is I dont have this kind of $ to spare right now.
So, I looked on craigslist (thanks, renomandru) and found a guy who was willing to come and take it away for free for the scrap metal! He is coming this morning, so will update later. But, based on the enthusiasm with which he responded to my letting him know about an old boiler up for grabs, think this was the way to go!
Thanks again.
Apparently the boilers they make now last only for ten years, not 100. What happened?
I am just agape. GREAT story, Susan. Thanks!
Yes, Mopar, we used the boiler until last winter when it finally died. It still had the door where coal could be placed inside the boiler, but it was converted to gas by the time we moved here (Park Slope) in 1993. It was a hot water system, I believe and I truly can’t recall what the bills were. But they are less now with the new boiler and the house is much, much warmer. I loved the old boiler (which was covered in an asbestos cocoon when we moved in)and in some ways was sorry to see it go. I have some pictures somewhere, taken right before it was dismantled by the plumber.
Susan, I am just fainting dead away at your posting. Really? Did it burn coal? What were your heating bills? And lastly, what about maintaining it as a working museum?!!! Oh well, guess it’s too late. Do you have steam, water, or air delivery? What area are you in? Thanks!!
I wouldn’t bet on no asbestos inside. I had an ancient boiler abated, took a sledge hammer to it, and found what I believe to be asbestos inside the walls. Fortunately, it stayed wet during the demo and I was able to dispose of it safely.
If it was constructed in cast iron sections the most were, it will come apart easily enough with a sledge. Just protect yourself from the shrapnel with sturdy jeans, eyewear. A sawzall will come in handy for the pipes connecting to it.
Many will gladly take the metal of your hand. Check craig’s list if you don’t have the means of carting it off yourself.
It cost me about $0 to get rid of a 2000 lb monster.
Last winter we replaced our c. 1897 boiler with a new one (the old one finally gave up the fight). Our plumber was quite anxious to remove the old one — and here’s why. Apparently the cast iron doors on these old boilers are quite valuable, worth hundreds of dollars.
asbestos was used from 1920-1970. The Boiler was put in place before it (before 1900). The boiler probably has asbestos only in pipes coming in/out of it.
why don’t you want to keep it – sounds great. Is it taking up too much room?