What kind of maintenance are done to these types of heaters?

[thealfa]

The house was built in 1948.

Do these types of heaters need to be maintained? The ones in the basement I think look like they have a faucet looking thing at the bottom. Is it to drain something out? Those pipes going up to the ceiling has levers on it.

 

[Snoonyb]

They are a hot water radiator system, and you will likely need a professional to initially service, and explain the system to you.

 

[PJB12]

Hello Thealfa,
Based on the coin vent in the second photo plus the pipe size you have hydronic heating with manual venting.
(Gravity systems will have the same or similar vent, but larger pipes arranged differently at the units. Steam yours is not.)

If your hydronic radiators are working fine and heating evenly, no immediate maintenance to the radiators is needed. Radiators are pretty benign.

If one is heating poorly, noisy, gurgling, banging or heating at a diagonal, you will have to purge air. Write back if that is the case.
You could also dust in the sections with a radiator brush or feather duster for best air transfer.


The System Should Be Inspected:
Boilers need periodic attention in order to work safely and efficiently.

As Snoonby mentioned, it would be wise to get a hydronic person to inspect your system and clean between the boiler sections as needed. Plus the person should adjust the burners, inspect the flue and test the safeties and automatic fill, plus expansion tank and air removal device(s).

Be sure to use a hydronic specialist, not a general heating-cooling company. General heating and cooling people usually are quite expert at forced air, but not hydronic nor gravity water and certainly not at steam systems.

Next research and consider chemical treatments to protect the system. You'll want oxygen scavengers and corrosion inhibitors. Sodium Molybdate and Sodium Nitrite (not nitrate) are a good one-two-combination to protect your system. Ask the hydronic specialist who checks your system for advise.

Important-
Periodically test the relief valve. It's wise to do every 6 months or so- winter and summer. The specialist will show you how. (2 minute job)

Paul

PS: Why the boiler drain is on the radiator can only be guessed at. Is it the lowest one in the building? If so, that might be for winterizing the system. (All I can think of.) Just because it is there, don't drain and flush a hydronic system. New water is the very last thing you want in your system.

The levers are ball valves or balancing cocks. They are to adjust flow, thus heat, to those radiators.

 

[thealfa]

The first pic above is from an upstairs bedroom (1st floor), the rest of the pics are located in the basement. Only the ones in the basement those radiator heaters have those faucet looking things, not upstairs.

I've attached more pics plus the levers are built by Everbilt.

 

[thealfa]

Another thing; I noticed there's a small black spot on the ceiling where the pipe is a little too close to it; is this a fire hazard? The pipe doesn't get too hot, just warm.

Are those gray foam or cushion looking things to fireproof the pipes from the drywall? Should I place one to protect the ceiling too especially that part where there's a black spot on the ceiling? What are these "foams" called?

 

[PJB12]

Another thing; I noticed there's a small black spot on the ceiling where the pipe is a little too close to it; is this a fire hazard? The pipe doesn't get too hot, just warm.

The black area on the ceiling in Post #5 is because the person who sweat (soldered) the pipes did not protect the ceiling from the heat of the torch with a heat shield.

It's not a fire hazard, but sure was one when the person had the torch burning the ceiling!

Are those gray foam or cushion looking things to fireproof the pipes from the drywall?

The grey foam cushion pieces are Closed Cell Pipe Insulation Foam. They are intended to prevent the heat of the water in the pipes from radiating into the room.

Usually they are used when the pipe is in a cold area, not in a room with a radiator. (Doesn't hurt anything to be in a heated room, just doesn't help anything.)


That type of insulation is not a fire proofing. The copper tubing underneath doesn't need fire protection. Actually, that insulation will melt if exposed to flame.

Paul