Draining & purging boiler system to add 3rd zone

I will be starting a project to add a 3rd zone to my boiler. The plan is to split off the family room from the first floor zone to be a separate zone. It should have been a separate zone when the addition was built 30-40 years ago. The first floor is serviced by 1†pipe and is split into 2 loops. One loop is for the family room. The other loop is for the rest of the first floor (dining room, hallway, kitchen, and family room). The family room is at the very end of the loop. It’s also on the north side of the house and has an unheated basement. These factors make the room 3-4 degrees cooler than the rest of the house.

The question I have concerns draining & purging the boiler. In the first step of the project, I will be adding onto the supply manifold. I plan to shut the isolation valves (4) on the supply and return sides. I will also isolate the boiler water feed. I’ll open the boiler drain to drain water from the boiler and manifolds below the isolation valves. How does air get into the system to break the vacuum? Does one have to open the valve on top of the automatic air vent (see picture of supply manifold)?

I’ll add onto the supply manifold a 1 ¼†x ¾†reducing T, a plug, a nipple, and an isolation flange. At this point, I’ll pressurize the system with water to test for leaks. Then I’ll add the new circulator and the other isolation flange and do a second leak test.

On the return side, the previous plumber left no expansion capability. Unfortunately, the elbow on the manifold goes to the second floor zone so I will have to drain the whole system in order to get the elbow off. The plan was to cut into the copper above the isolation valve before disconnecting the valve, nipple, and elbow. I suppose that I could cut into the nipple with a sawzall but then I’ll have to use some sort of union when connecting it all back up again. The advantage of this approach would be that I wouldn’t have to drain the second floor zone. Still, I think I’m better off draining the entire system and cutting into the copper.

If I drain the entire system, how does air get into the system so that the water drains out? Is it through the automatic air vent again? Or do I need to open the manual bleeder valves on the slant-fin baseboard radiators?

When closing the system up again, I will purge most of the air from the system using the boiler drains on the return side. I will also go to each baseboard radiator and open the bleeder valves to purge any air.

Thanks for any assistance.
--Bill

Draining shouldn't be a big deal. Open the drain valve and if water doesn't come out then open a vent on a radiator and water will come out.

If you wanted to get creative then use air to blow the water out of the system. Be sure and keep the pressure low, less than 25 psi or so. The advantage to rigging up an air system is that you can use air to check for leaks before putting water in the system. It'll save a lot of mess. Don't ask how I know that.

Thanks for the response Grumpy.

In terms of electrical, I'm 100% confident in my skills having a EE background and done extensive wiring work on the house/car including swapping the Taco SR-501 to Taco SR-506 controller on my boiler. Adding the circulator from an electrical viewpoint will be easy.

I do appreciate the concern that boilers can be dangerous and you need to know what you're doing. My boiler has a temperature gauge and it should read between 160 & 180 deg. The pressure should be between 15-20 psi.

In terms of safety features, the boiler has:
1. spill switch - shuts down boiler if vent system becomes blocked (e.g, automatic damper does not open)
2. water temperature limit switch - shuts off gas valve if water temp exceeds its setting.
3. relief valve - if boiler exceeds certain pressure, it opens up relieving pressure

I have the CGA boiler manual and have read it several times. I will follow their documented checkout procedure before firing up the boiler.

You bring up a good point about balancing valves. I'm unable to determine if my system has them because the basement ceiling is plastered. I will have to crack it open to check. I was already planning to open the ceiling along the rim joists as part of the basement remodel so that they can be properly insulated.

--Bill

Thanks GHH,
What kind of valve would you put on to facilitate using air to blow on the system. I asked my supply house and the counter person didn't know of any device. I'm guessing that it would be some sort of shraeder valve. Would you use a test plug for this purpose?

Is this the question?
For adding air in to the system to glow out the lines and for a presser check?

See what size pipe you have where you want to attach in the compressor. Go to the compressor section and get the needed quick disconnect for you hose. Go to plumbing with the fitting and adapt it to the pipe fitting your going to tie into.

I used a standard air quick-coupler. A Schrader valve should work fine too.

I don't have test plugs so just tested portions of the system as they were completed. My original installation had no isolation valves so I added those to each side (supply and return) of each zone and then added a couple valves on the main loop. I guess the original installer thought valves were too expensive or that draining the entire system just to replace a fitting was good practice.

Nailed & CHH, thanks for the advice on the fittings. I did see NPT 3/8" fittings in the air compressor section. I'll figure out some way to put a T, ball valve and the air compressor fitting to give me the ability to blow out the line.

Has anyone rigged something where you put a compressor fitting on a boiler drain? Something that you can easily attach and then remove when you're done? If so, what fittings did you use?

Don't let the pressure get too high, there are various diaphram switches and things in a boiler that you could damage. You may want to isolate the boiler itself, then blow out the remaining lines.

gtmtnbiker said:

Has anyone rigged something where you put a compressor fitting on a boiler drain? Something that you can easily attach and then remove when you're done? If so, what fittings did you use?

Click to expand...

I used a female hose coupling to 1/2" NPT adapter I found at HD. I suspect that most hardware stores will have something similar in their brass fittings collection. The 1/2" was bushed down to 1/4" for the quick coupler and gauge. In hindsight it might have been better to use 1/2" everywhere but the gauge and quick-coupler themselves. I have a bad habit of snapping 1/4" off and it was tough to get the threads to seal on the 1/4" for the pressure tests.

The original idea was to ensure that the lines were completely free of water prior to sweating. I guess it's overkill. I probably should just drain the pipes and where I need to break the existing pipes to put new fittings, I should use a shop vac to suck out the water.

The other application will be for my father-in-law's summer house in VT. At the end of the season, we like to blow out the water lines in case the heat ever goes out. He currently uses some sort of mickey-mouse thing that he holds against the fitting by hand. I personally don't think it works too well. I would like to come up with a better fitting for him to use.

I was at the local hardware store and did see the air compressor fittings with 1/4" & 3/8" NPT that I could use. I'm sure that I can find the right combo of brass parts to fit my situation.

I'm progressing along nicely with this project. Tonight I added onto the supply manifold for the 3rd zone. I also added a little bit of copper.

Knock on wood but no leaks so far. The only tricky part was the 1 1/4 x 3/4 black reducing T. I got past 90 deg past vertical when it got real tough. It took a lot of effort to move it another 270 deg.

I attached a picture of what I've done so far. Feel free to point out any mistakes. I also attached a picture of my leak test apparatus. It's nothing more than a 90 deg Sharkbite fitting with a boiler drain attached to it. First I purge the air out of the line and then check for any leaks. I'm impressed with how easy it is to attach/detach the Sharkbite fitting. It's great for quick temporary repairs or for testing. I'll wait 5-10 years before I trust it for long-term use. Plus, I enjoy sweating pipes.