testing boiler water quality

[Dirthog4]

How is the best way to test boiler water on new install for water quality ?

 

[Karl_northwind]

talk to the folks at woodboilersolutions.com, they're here in WI. in Wapun, just down the road from you and I. they'll check everything over and set you up with the chemicals necessary for your specific application.

 

[Dirthog4]

Thank for the heads up right in the neighborhood .

 

[StihlKicking]

My dealer recommends filling your boiler with rain water.

 

[Karl_northwind]

My dealer recommends filling your boiler with rain water.

Rain picks up all sorts of crud from the air and roofs, most notably carbonic acid from CO2 in the air. if you have hard water, get a de-mineralizer or buy de-ionized water.

 

[StihlKicking]

Rain picks up all sorts of crud from the air and roofs, most notably carbonic acid from CO2 in the air. if you have hard water, get a de-mineralizer or buy de-ionized water.

10-4

 

[warno]

talk to the folks at woodboilersolutions.com, they're here in WI. in Wapun, just down the road from you and I. they'll check everything over and set you up with the chemicals necessary for your specific application.

This. I bought my chemicals from them and their not bad pricing either.

 

[goosegunner]

I used Woodboiler solutions cleaning method and treatment when I filled my system fall of 2010. I just pulled a sample for the yearly testing. Here is what it looks like after 6+ years.

 

[Karl_northwind]

purty.

 

[ihookem]

I filled with pain water and 10 gal. of boiler anti freeze. Since then I put in another 5 gal. This fall I will put in another 5 gal. of the boiler antifreeze and will do this every other year. I have had it 7 years now but I found a small leak last week. I thought the worst of course, " AND NOW THE BOILER IS SHOT." It was only a small leak in the 1" copper pipe in the back. Easy fix but I am surprised it happened at all.

 

[heaterman]

I would strongly advise against using rain water for filling your boiler.
While it's true the PH will be in range for most applications there are many other factors to contend with.
Probably the biggest one with rainwater would be contaminants of bacterial type. Birds s**t on your roof and that gets washed into your catch basin. Presto! Instant problem. Some bacteria problems can be extremely difficult to get rid of and I have personally seen boilers perforate in a matter of a year or two.
Yes, there are types of bacteria that can live at 200* water temp and they are nasty once they get established in your boiler or storage vessel.

There was a Garn owner on here a few years ago who filled his unit with a hose in use around his farm. He had great fun trying to get rid of the bacteria attacking his Garn.

Just use regular tap water through a clean hose or in cases where your water is really hard, fill it half and half with tap water and RO or de-ionized water purchased from a local source that services water coolers or softeners. It's worth the extra trouble and cost compared to rotting out your boiler or tank in a matter of a few years.

 

[heaterman]

talk to the folks at woodboilersolutions.com, they're here in WI. in Wapun, just down the road from you and I. they'll check everything over and set you up with the chemicals necessary for your specific application.

Wood boiler solutions <AKA> Precision Chem?

 

[Karl_northwind]

Wood boiler solutions <AKA> Precision Chem?

same folks. the woodboilersolutions website is where google will send you if you look them up.

 

[woodsmaster]

I used Woodboiler solutions cleaning method and treatment when I filled my system fall of 2010. I just pulled a sample for the yearly testing. Here is what it looks like after 6+ years.
curious how much treatment do you usually have to add each year ?

 

[plumedic]

Caleffi has a new idronics out #18 Water Quality in Hydronic Systems . I'd give you a link if I knew how. Bunch of info over my head on water quality