Homeowner Tries To Fix Gas Boiler and Fails Miserably How to Bled or Purge Zones

Got no heat? This homeowner tried to bled the boiler but failed miserably in the process. Smart enough to give up and call a professional in for help! Kuddos to him! Watch was we diagnose flaws with the system and instruct the homeowner on the proper way to purge the zones.
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#WeilMcLain #Bled #Boiler

[@kevinfoster2308]

Being transparent and explaining to the customer is part of the definition of Making the trades great again.

[@eloymartiz8349]

JUST LOVE IT.!! THE WAY YOU EXPLAINING AND TEACHING,YOU'RE ONE OF THE BEST.! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.!!

[@tallbrian100]

Most people really appreciate having things explained to them and most of them will retain 10% of what you tell them, customers who believe you are not blowing smoke up their "a's will call the next time they have a problem. Mike has all the work he can handle so no reason to not be nice to the customer.

[@johnphillipsplumbing7148]

My business ' motto is "Big enough to handle your needs and small enough that you matter". Feel free to use that if you want!! 😆

[@jaarue]

Bro , you’re qualified. And even on an educational stand point, you disclose more than , the industry, calls out for . You’re knowledge and skills is much appreciated.

[@PipeDoctor]

I appreciate that

[@NROhvac]

Great video, love how the customer didn’t lie and just accepted what he did 😂

[@jerryg2073]

I am a retiree and confirmed DIYer. Have a lot of experience in home improvement, carpentry, machine work, basic plumbing/electric, etc. But, never had a hot water baseboard system until now. I have only been able to properly repair and maintain my system due to videos like yours. Sometimes, the "few bucks" just are not there. Thank you.

[@PipeDoctor]

I'm so glad my videos have been helpful to you! It's always great to hear that people are able to save money and learn new skills through DIY projects.

[@RichardTurlington]

I'd like to piggyback on this comment here. I'm in NY, but on the other side closer to Buffalo. Trying to purge air out of my line that's driving me nuts all night last night. My setup is almost identical to the one here. I also had an expansion tank that was full of water (had to find a different video showing about that) - so I took that off drained of all water and found its bladder was not inflated at all!. Measured the pressure on my outside spigot at 45psi and inflated the bladder to that. Put it back on. I have an automatic air purge just above the expansion tank and cannot figure out for the life of me why when I now open it just a little bit only water comes out. But anyway this video really helped me understand the right way to purge. Thanks! (I'd call you if you serviced our area, but don't think you want to drive 9 hours to get here. lol.)

[@TheBladez718]

Mike. Thanks for taking your time to explain everything to the home owner.

[@wicked_guru]

Frankly, I am incredibly grateful for the amount of information you gave him because I am in a position of having boiler issues and have absolutely no way to afford a technician. Hopefully my subscription and dedicated watching of your videos is enough to pay you back!

[@jgroves55]

Actually i thought that was one of your best videos about boilers and how they operate. The customer got his moneys worth, like you said in the video you could have been in and out of there in 10 minutes but took the time to educate him and us as well. I did not sell or work in boilers in my HVAC career but we did forced air gas systems and heat pumps and i always took the time educate the customer on what he or she needed to know about how to operate the system that we had installed. Little things like taking and marker and marking the direction of air flow on the return air filter box so they could remember how to install a new filter in the correct direction. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with the KZbin world . Knowledge is power, good job!!!!

[@dancingdog2790]

Five stars, Mikey Pipes - liked and subscribed! As a homeowner who's not afraid to sweat in a new zone or cut into my 3" drain, it's comforting to know there are pros willing to backstop me when it *really* starts to flow downhill.

[@PipeDoctor]

Thank you so much for your support! I'm glad to hear that my videos are helpful to you as a homeowner. Keep up the great work on your projects!

[@RonSciara]

Mikey pipes you don’t even realize how many people with hydronic heat don’t know how to do this! Most informative video yet I hope for you this video gets a million views….Thank you! For all the subs!👌👍

[@acrservicesmathewr7565]

Thnx Mikey for explaining thoroughly to all us new techs. Your our hero

[@lawrenceengel3330]

Very impressive service explanation, was easy to understand. I really appreciate your efforts to educate the homeowner to help them avoid making a huge expensive mess 👌

[@grahamhusk183]

Mikey love your vids dude. Learning loads about how things work across the pond. Heating engineer from UK for 30yrs.

[@homeytoyer8303]

You are awesome dude. Educating customer builds their knowledge and increases their safety. The majority of customers are discerning as to what they can do and a few not so much.

[@chuckquinn8026]

Hey, I would call you back again for future work because of how you treated me and educated me 🤷‍♂️

[@teamdrummond6915]

You're exceptional in explaining things to a customer. Great content!!

[@silvermark04]

Huge thanks for explaining the correct drain procedure! No more gushing sounds through my pipes. Saved me a few bucks!

[@justinhayward5027]

He will trust you for life. By taking the time to explain.

[@JAYJAYJAY53]

I think it’s great that you help people. It speaks volumes about your character.

[@paulklink3071]

I had a customer that would bleed each radiator at the start of the heating season because a friend of his told him to do that and every year he lost heat in the 3rd floor radiators So he called me to fix that I asked him if he got air out of the radiators when he bleed them he said no so I told him to stop bleeding the radiators at the start of the heating season and the following year he did not loose heat in the 3rd floor radiators He was doing this for the past 15 years and he thanked me for educating him and stopping him from doing something unnecessary and causing this problem so in turn he went and educated his friend

[@tom3639]

Don't understand. Why does bleeding radiators cause no heat? Doesn't the regulator just let in more water to keep the system full and water flowing in the radiators?

[@jeromewhelan6723]

Mikey - I just watched your gas boiler air-bleeding video, instructing the homeowner. What a great job of helping the customer understand! My respect level for your work just jumped UP. Both he and I learned something on this call.

[@brianleb]

Great to see a master in action and the teachable moment is just because you are a high character guy, customers will recognize that and will become repeat customers because of it. My favorite video yet, great job!

[@JohnSmith-cp2yg]

Mike you are absolutely awesome I thank you very much some of us people don't have the 9 10 Grand to pay out and we're freezing at home, I am one of those people I'm putting in my own boiler and you helped me a lot thank you Mike from the bottom of my heart thank you

[@PipeDoctor]

Glad to help

[@jaym.7620]

More educational videos like this 1 please mike. This video helped sooo much. You explained everything so well. Thank you so much the video

[@evanrocha5465]

Great vid Mike! I think it’s great that you informed the client to the right way of doing things, he won’t take it all in/or grasp what you told him, but that’s shows him how hard and valuable your knowledge and work is. I’m a GC, and I’m always looking to learn things in a house. The information was excellent in this one. Keep it up Pipes!

[@PipeDoctor]

Thank you Evan I tried to educate all of my clients and hopefully make the best decision that’s right for them

[@blamehypocrisy.4053]

These videos always show up after I need them. Who ever owned my house before me royally screwed things up with the boiler and got it working well enough. Luckily after problem solving it’s all good now. But this video would have been helpful a few months ago. Nice explanation of everything and makes me happy to see some techs out there actually explain things

[@GeoMo52]

Couldn’t agree with you more Mikey. I just retired after 40 plus years as a master technician at a Toyota dealership. If a customer or stranger walked in the shop with a question, any tech would be more than happy to hand out information. If they couldn’t handle it they’d take it to a shop. Never understood plumbers safeguarding there information, thinking they would lose business, really , as in my business , isn’t there enough work to go around ?

[@evergreen4034]

@@MrInkotimein my experience, lots of pros in different trades/lines of work are unwilling to give you much info. I don’t think plumbers are safeguarding because it’s “so easy”, I’m guessing they either A. Just don’t want to deal with it (like most people in my experience) or, B. They don’t want to give you some advice, have you cause some sort of catastrophic failure and get blamed

[@lindsey607]

Gotta love a guy, who seems to enjoy educating his clients. Would love to have someone like this to deal with.

[@waltershulas623]

Very well done mike I do the same thing with customers it goes a long way with the customer. And it’s professional

[@erhanuygur8215]

I truly admire how you love to explain the peasants like us the complicated system. that's a virtue that you can find rare and must be praised at all times , thank you mr pipes

[@keithh.9702]

You have a new subscriber! As a new homeowner with a boiler/baseboard heating I'm in the third winter and I'm hearing water sloshing sounds in my walls! LOL I figured that the boiler needs bleeding. The thing is I called a HVAC guy out for maintenance last year and didn't say a word. I told him i hear water sounds and he said "Oh baseboard heating is like that! ... Right. I actually bled my own system thanks to you! Keep up the great work! God Bless!

[@tphvac87]

Wonderful explanation Mikey, I always try to educate my customers as well!! A++++

[@ronaldhooutube]

Agree with you with explaining to customer because they want to do it themselves. then they can apprecate detailed purging can be.

[@edcicione]

Thank you so much for making this video I can show it to my new help.

[@eisel1]

Thanks Mike. This video was well explained. Thanks again!!!

[@MikeyAntonakakis]

As a Mikey that was born in Amityville and just DIYed replacing the air separator, expansion tank, auto air vents, and pressure relief valve, I greatly appreciate this video! System seems to be working properly now and this video was a great sanity check to make sure I didn’t overlook anything or make any stupid mistakes. I’m a decent DIYer and plumbers here seem to think their time is worth ~$500/hr (no joke, I consistently get quotes in that range for labor cost), your comment at the end rang true for me! If you came here and gave me advice that would help me get more stuff done on my own, I will DEFINITELY remember you the next time I need a job that’s over my head!

[@Drikk14]

I am very happy to have found your video on this!! VERY informative and you sharing your knowledge not just fixing and leaving is amazing!!

[@PipeDoctor]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you found the video informative and that you appreciate my approach of sharing knowledge and not just fixing the issue. It means a lot to me!

[@djplayerproductions]

This is the best video I have ever seen. Knowledge is the key. This guy will always recommend you. You did the right thing.

[@PipeDoctor]

I appreciate that!

[@pizzareviewwithkarrighione5576]

No, it's Keep it super simple. Good job thanks for the step-by-step education.

[@1960teko]

Mikey the customer is paying for service this was a great way to educate the customer as well.

[@ronpittard2769]

Love your work ethic

[@dukeislam6293]

Thank you. I appreciate you for teaching us. And you're right, all homeowners, should know how to purge, and call the professional for the heavy stuff. Thank you!

[@scoobtoober2975]

You will get better service fessing up to what you have really done. Love it

[@michaellong4496]

Thank you Mike good job keep it up

[@tomdube971]

This is where my favorite quote comes from “I’m here because you broke something”. Keep up the good work Mike

[@vietboyyeuem]

If i was this client, i would be so happy knowing how the system works and paid a tip for the education. You tradesmen are great! I remembered asking just to simply watch when i was younger when a service was called. Shits so interesting 😅

[@PipeDoctor]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting.

[@unclespy]

Being a west coast guy I have never seen a boiler. Your explanation on how a hot water system works was very fascinating! Keep it up sir.

[@rodgraff1782]

I’m on the west coast also, and worked on hundreds of boilers out here.

[@joeyyork4224]

Also, thanks for being you. You are awesome

[@kens.3729]

It’s really Obvious to your Regular Viewers that you’re Highly Qualified in your Business which gives your Customers an Extreme amount of Peace of Mind. 👍🙏

[@Melvinschroeder]

Thanks for giving the information to help homeowners out.

[@PipeDoctor]

absolutely

[@thomasdidymus1393]

Mike Pipes!!! You're the man!!

[@joseleysa5137]

You are being honest and that is good...

[@comfortairheatingcoolingllc]

Mikey by far one of the best videos that I've seen in regards to boilers... and that's a lot given that I've seen pretty much all of your video's. Great explanation of Hydronic Heating. Keep up the wonderful work & as always God bless.

[@PipeDoctor]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eugenkaranxha1659]

It’s good to educate people I teach them all the time I’m not worried running out of work when they screw it up they call me back there is so many things to know when it comes to furnaces and heat pumps and boilers you tought him the simple stuff a homeowner should know

[@pellechi1]

Thanks Mike, very informative. I’m like the customer you helped and educated. I often wondered about purging the little bit of air below the drain hose connection … I appreciate the knowledge of quick open-close action of the closed ball valve … I signed up so I can learn …

[@PipeDoctor]

Glad to help

[@RockoRocko-rz7kx]

Very educational Mike. Love it.

[@PipeDoctor]

Thank you very much for your feedback

[@joeyyork4224]

Also, thanks for being you. You kick butt

[@ginch158]

Mike Great video! Such an education! Keep doing what you do.

[@PipeDoctor]

I appreciate that!

[@chenglo8999]

You are so nice to educate home owners. His bill mustve been insane though!

[@clemmersmetalworx7012]

Awesome video. As a homeowner with the same boiler living in the boondocks and no quality HVAC guys within a 100 miles . Knowing the basic parts of my boiler is great knowledge to have . Just knowing about the pressure gauge is a game changer alone. Thank you

[@PipeDoctor]

That is awesome!

[@bryantobin2]

I'm sick of my plumber and heating and air guy purposely not telling me how to do these simple things when I point blank ask. Like Mike said, I'm going to try to do it regardless and since I DO have skills enough to do it, why not show me so I can save a buck. I will 100% call the plumber who tells me something like this simple maintenance tip back before I call the guy who wouldn't share secrets because he was worried of losing the work. Not the comment Mike predicted he'd get but there it is.

[@naomihoward3928]

You are the reason, I am smiling today

[@scottpycik]

I love going to service calls and find the client tried to save a buck and makes things worse. Another great video Mike.

[@remodelassets6523]

My Man!! Mikey! Thank you!!!🙏

[@jcbw01987]

My type of customers job security all day, keep doing this as its business in our hands.

[@georgiamurray1878]

This is amazing work

[@MrMikebutkus]

He knows his stuff, and explains it well.

[@walterschilling4512]

I lost heat on the first floor zone 0ne , had heat at zone 2 and hot water at the kitchen sink and upstairs bathrooms .At first I thought it was the taco cicuraltor pump since at this zone , it was the orginial pump from 1990 taco 007-f3, I installed a new pump regardless only to find that after opening the old pump , there was nothing wrong,.My next step was there had to be air in the system , after 100 videos,This morning ,I came across yours and my system ,is just about set up, the same as this boiler except, I have the orginial expansion tank.I followed your instructions to the tee, { Fore] and success a hole in one! I now have heat at the first zone and I purged the second zone also. .Come spring ,I will go over the whole system maintance wise, no fun doing this in the winter. thanks Mikey for posting !

[@tommyteamer9037]

Thanks for showing how to fix a gas boiler and you did a great job

[@PipeDoctor]

Glad to help

[@thomasbaker9959]

The pressure is rising because that boiler was piped with the expansion tank on the discharge of the pumps. Pump away from the boiler and put your air vent and expansion tank on the suction side of the pump (point of no pressure change). Air scoops need 18" of straight pipe before and after 90's or a pump. An air eliminator has no limits. The water heater could have been causing problems in the summer time when the draft is lower. Get rid of the draft diverters and pipe straight into the boiler and water heater. Add a double acting barometric with a spill switch to protect when there is no draft. There are some good classes that teach about this like the NCI class on combustion. They have classes all around the US. Dan Holohan has some good books. "Pumping Away", "Primary-Secondary Pumping Made Easy", "We Got Steam Heat" I enjoy your videos BTW. Lets Go Bosch

[@yuqiangg]

very helpful! thanks

[@joeyyork4224]

Also, thanks for being you. You kick ass

[@larryboy8821]

I really enjoyed that one. Thanks for the meal!

[@DJVINNIE]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!! GREAT JOB MIKEY BOY!!

[@jonathanadams9102]

Mikey Pipes do ya thing homie!

[@MichaelConferPhoto]

Mike, you are the best. You should be telling all customers exactly what you’re doing. Why shouldn’t we know m? we’re paying you to do the job professionally why not learn a little bit along the way? I think it’s wonderful and I watched the whole thing or listened to half of the time but the point is is that I know 80% of what you’re talking about because I’ve had similar screw ups as a do it yourselfer and I’m trying to learn from it but the reality on how few people know how to do any of that stuff and boilers are dangerous they can blow up so I commend you. Thank you.

[@alannewsome1729]

No I remember what you always say Mike knowledge is the key. Lol!

[@stevendrake477]

Honestly if I have someone that teaches me how to fix the simple things I'm 100% more likely to hire them for any other work I have. I found this video because we've had multiple jobs done to our boiler, and the common issue is air in the pipes, causing another service call, and costing money. This was helpful. I'm going to purge my system today.

[@grabir01]

Very good tutorial. A keeper. Thanks.

[@PipeDoctor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-cm7nz7jm3u]

Ty for being diy. Supportive if I can save money doing the basics myself I’ll do it and I’ve changed basic components myself and it worked fine. However those big trouble shooting diagnostics jobs I will not attempt. But to drain a boiler teach me and u can keep on your marry way to those complicated house calls. Bums will be bums to earn a dollar u my friend will be blessed.

[@vaety2002]

Thank you for great information’ it really help now to undetstand my boiler system in our house , specially now i have some leak issue and expasiontank need to replaced’ thank great video ang information

[@nikkicrouse6713]

Quite frankly he (most likely) went on KZbin for how to bleed. He failed to notice the zone valve wasn’t latched open and no water was flowing upstairs leaving the pipes empty. Much respect for the detailed explanation. I gotta say I was screaming don’t do it when you opened the 30 pressure valve because (much like pressure relief valves) they leak or fail to seat way way more often then closing properly. Hope a couple wacks reseated it and the pressure dropped back to below 15. Anyway, as usual a exceptionally well done job.

[@brucerobak145]

What. Mikey Pipes going to the Carolinas. Best start yoga stretching for those dirt crawl spaces. Thanks for Mikey Pipes stickers.

[@stanm8036]

Great video thank you

[@Joeyjens2054]

Great job liked the video very much

[@nilolee2426]

It’s nice to showed it to him and to us. everything is in KZbin now.

[@PipeDoctor]

Yup. Sure is.

[@stumpynubs5387]

Great video. Thx for sharing

[@PipeDoctor]

Thanks for watching!

[@kuelguy2403]

Wicked educational and cool video. Appreciate it!

[@elliecrawford2392]

this is pleasant time and your pleasent video ! best

[@billrowan1957]

I love when clients say "I didn't touch anything" "I ONLY did X/Y" when I know for a fact things were touched!

[@BOSS_805]

GREAT VIDEO THANKS

[@bacanyork6106]

Mike your are the best ❤, I really like the way you perform your job 👍👍👍🙏👍👍👍🙌🙌🙌

[@PipeDoctor]

im far from the best

[@josephinefuentes5769]

So excited For This Supercool video

[@idacarls851]

Yes, this is very good

[@denniskelvey9196]

Loved the video.

[@spitpea]

At least the home owner new when to stop and call a professional

[@noracox3410]

Killer work

[@myboy051]

Good and honest man. Getting Harder to find honest good blue collar workers. I’m a automotive tech of 21 years now. I’ve come across some shady shops. I Always live by the saying of customers don’t get any recommendations that I wouldn’t give my family. Karma is a bit*h!!!

[@reneemcgee4045]

Such notification,many playfulness,so wonderful