Steam Return Pipe I Revisited

[@louietheplumber3609]

Happy new year sir

[@mrkrasker9609]

Happy new year to you Bob. I for one am glad to see the back of 2020. I hope 2021 brings you good luck and good fortune.

[@JohannnesBrahms]

Always interesting to hear your expert analysis and diagnosis of hard to pinpoint problems. Very satisfying. Have a New Year filled with wonder and joy!

[@petergriffin1546]

Thanks for the video.... Crap work again. another lazy plumber. Could have used blocks and had drain off floor a little. How long did it take to see any movement on pressure gauge? Good to see honest people like you exist!

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

From a cold start, approximately 20 minutes give or take.

[@chrisxleung]

Hoping for a better 2021 for everyone! I want to say thank you for the chimney cleaner recommendation that you gave me as well.

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

My Pleasure! Happy New Year!! Bob.

[@Bob.W.]

Thx Bob. My last system was all dry returns, parallel flow, and had no issues. I revented the mains and rads. IN-8. Used a vaporstat. 6 ounces cut-in, 14 ounce cut-out. Love those beefy floor joists.

[@medicalnegligence]

Great analysis and insight. So many variables involved with steam. I’ve been tweaking my home system for years. Those Maid O Mist valves are worthless. Happy New Year!

[@scottk0623]

Hi Bob, that “belly” in the main may of occurred when the original feeder filled the system with water causing a sag. I am not a fan of copper returns, I’m old fashion and still like black pipe. She may be hearing the banging on start up from a cold system due to no insulation on the piping causing a condensate issue until the main gets completely hot? Nice job checking it out thoroughly.👍

[@thomasrowan5951]

Bob, I am looking for adapters for the bathroom faucet. I need an adapter 3/4” female to 1/2” male to use pressure ferrules. Can I get them anywhere?

[@aglasserm1679]

To me if you can have two risers coming from the boiler and you only use one it is a mistake.The near boiler piping was not done to spec as well. This will produce wet steam. The insulation on the main and near boiler piping should be at least 2 inch for best results. She should also insulate the wet return as well.

[@davidlampe4153]

I agree with the insulation and I too question the velocity of using one pipe to direct the steam out of the boiler, doesn’t the system require a drop header? Why didn’t the first or second guy change the near boiler piping to include the 24” above the jacket to the bottom of the lowest header pipe? If the interest is getting dry steam why not cut the velocity in half using two pipes and making a drop header? I’m more than a little confused about how the first plumber expected any of this to work at all. Didn’t anyone know about the boiler piped in Pyrex by the boiler trade show on you tube?? They demonstrate how two pounds of pressure shoots water into the near boiler piping and how the lack of proper installation can really create a lot of water hammer and other problems.

[@davidlampe4153]

Bob, I think I understand the problem solving you were doing was to help the lady with her boiler piping and problem without being too deeply involved and by that liable for any future problems. Being an armchair knuckle head, I admit I don’t know what you have to go through to fix something without being held responsible for every aspect of the job because you are helpful. Weil McLain has the boiler piping in glass on you tube and it’s a real eye opener on what takes place in a modern steam boiler. Is the problem with these jobs the idea that if it costs less it’s better for me the homeowner? As a professional it must be tougher to turn down work knowing that someone else is going to screw up the installation and you may get sucked in for little or no money to solve the problems. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[@SRG216]

If you had water going into a radiator because the water fill control failed, why would you need to disconnect the radiator to drain the water. Wouldn't the water drain out naturally after you brought the water in the boiler to the proper level (assuming the radiator was properly pitched towards the service valve)?

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

That's true, but some big monster radiators are severely back pitched in addition the some convector that retain a boat load of water. Regards, Bob.

[@duotronic6451]

Embarrassing spaghetti job. Too bad that plumber changed out that 1 1/4 return line. Definitely insulate.