When installing new plumbing, fixtures and utilities, our rule of thumb is to install like you're coming back to work on it. That means keeping wiring clean and wrapped, piping straight, valves accessible and replaceable, and controls within reach. Look how pretty:
This little hole saturated a kitchen and a basement in a matter of minutes. This is a break from a frozen line, and it was in a poorly insulated area on an outside wall. Had to rip out the siding and outside wall, repair the break, and stitch it back up.
Just a quick reminder about quick connects: they're not permanent. They should never be enclosed behind a wall or used for extended periods of time. Quick Connects and Shark bitbite fittings are great in emergency situations, but should never be used long term Have a plumber come and permanently solder joints
Both of these water heaters are the same size, brand and model. But they were manufactured 6 years apart. In that time, regulation was put in place to make these units run more heat efficient. The new models are wider, with larger vent lines. They run hotter and create more heat expansion. Unfortunately this sometimes requires more equipment.
Boilers are not very good at hiding their age. They may try to pass for younger, they may spend the money for new hardware here and there to make them look younger, they may even date a younger boiler to feel that pizzazz they once did in their youth, but we all know hen we see that boiler, that it's old. Main sign: corrosion. Look for signs of water damage, heavily corroded iron piping and hardware around the boiler, unhealthy looking electrical, and leaks around the jacket. Corrdoded copper piping going throughout your home is one thing; that can be patched. But once the boiler unit itself shows sever signs of leakage & long term corrosion, it's time to start thinking about replacement. Ch
Probable causes: 1. Bad safety switch. Boilers are equipped with these all over the place. They can be jumped with a little piece of wire as a bypass. (Don't run a jumped boiler for a long time) 2. Pilot is out. This can happen from backdrafts through your chimney or a bad thermocouple 3. Air in the line. If your heat kicks on and you can hear water swishing around while you're reading in your living room, that's air. Big no no. 4. Bad thermostat. You can test this by taking the cover off and jumping the two connections. If the boiler kicks on, you need a new thermo. Leave the rest to us. Happy shoveling. 😨
Most important: DO NOT let a contractor decide if the plumbing is ok. The worst thing you can do is deface a bathroom or kitchen, and leave decades old plumbing behind the walls. Toilet flanges need to be updated, tub drains should be changed, kitchen lines should be updated, etc. Nothing is worse than trying to save a few bucks withba simple deface, and a pipe or drain breaks, ruining the new bathroom. Always call a plumber on remodels. Don't leave those decisions to a contractor.
Step by step in prep and emergency: 1. GET TOUR BOILER INSPECTED If you know single digits are coming, call a plumber to check all operations on your boiler. If you cannot get a plumber to come by, or don't want to spend the money, do this simple check on your own: - Test thermostats. Make sure they're reaching temperature and that they're communicating with the boiler to call for heat - Bleed your zones. Isolate each zone and run a garden hose from the drain spout and eject any air built up in the lines 2. DONT TURN OFF/LOWER HEAT IN UNUSED AREAS Leave your heat running and set to at least 65°. DO NOT turn off the heat if you're going away for a long period of time 2. CHECK FOR DRAFTS. Draf
North jersey is notorious for hard water, and this hoy side water heater anode proves it. I installed this unit 10 months ago and already the entire stem is caked with calcium, blocking the output and causing corrosion around the joint. Watertech.com
Click here to watch our new video on "Bathroom Vanity Installation" Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Your boiler heats its water to 180 degrees. That's hot. If it's pumping out heat to your house, you need that hot water running through your baseboard to radiate enough of a comfortable temperature. But this causes heat expansion, and creates air in a hydronic system, which you do not want. To catch air and pull it from your system, the air manifold must be installed properly. Honeywell makes a product called a Spiral vent that pulls micro bubbles out of the system and deposits them into an expansion tank, keeping them out of the loop and your system running air tight. If the loop isnt installed right, then on cold nights when your boiler runs longer, it creates more air, more heat expansion
