Chemical clean and flush steam heating system- useful?

My plumber/heating guy who I really trust suggested I do a chemical clean and flush of the system to help the boiler controls stay clean and functional and clear sludge from the return lines. He recommended I do it at the start of the heating system. Has anyone else done this or want to chime in on the topic? Cost was about $260\. Nothing wrong with the system as it is and like I said, I trust this guy very much and he didn’t hardsell me on doing this, but figured I’d reach out to the community. Any thoughts? Just FYI, it’s a steam heat, 6-family building.

stickerhappy

in Heating 12 years and 4 months ago

4

Please log in, in order to post replies!

4 replies

Newest Oldest

Master Plvmber | 12 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4993 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5046 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I don’t comment on other contractor’s prices because I only know my procedures and expenses, but $260 shouldn’t scare you away from a good maintenance visit. I prefer to flush a boiler with water from the bottom then do a “skim” from the top. http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/posts/8988/Skim%20Article%20OH%20June%202009.pdf So there. http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/gatewayplumbing

stickerhappy | 12 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4994 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4995 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "100776"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "stickerhappy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B22w2UCKIlYWBOfDUi2mGifya.FPZ01"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "stickerhappy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "andysclass@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/bknites/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:32:57"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "stickerhappy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(100776)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

What’s the alternative to chemicals that you use, Master Plvmber? And does that cost for a chemical flush sound about right? Thanks for the help!

Master Plvmber | 12 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4998 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4992 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

There’s nothing wrong with cleaning and flushing a steam boiler. They all need it at least once a year. I prefer not to use chemicals, but some people do.

eman134 | 12 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4995 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4993 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177006"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BaRrlDjFBcYAeDJ9.lwOTJ9pQC9nsT."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "errol832000@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "http:///forums/users/eman134/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:55"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177006)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

as long as he maintains the ph ( level of acidity/basicity in the system) it is not a bad idea