Boiler Services in Chicago
Need Boiler Services in Chicago you can trust? If your radiators are banging, hissing, or leaking, don't let a "furnace guy" guess at the problem. We specialize in the lost art of Chicago steam and hydronic heating.
The "Lost Art"
We own pipe threaders. We don't use SharkBites.
"A steam system should be silent. If it sounds like a hammer factory, someone piped it wrong. We fix the piping." - Bernie
Why "Modern" Techs Ruin Old Boilers
Most young technicians have never seen a steam boiler. They try to treat it like a water heater. This leads to dangerous pressure buildups, flooded radiators, and cracked blocks.
Wrong Piping
Steam needs dry steam to work. If the "near-boiler piping" isn't built exactly to the manufacturer's specs (using steel, not copper), wet steam shoots up the pipes. This causes the banging noise (water hammer) and rots your radiators.
Pressure Issues
Residential steam boilers should run at less than 2 PSI. We often find them cranked up to 10 PSI because a tech didn't know how to fix a main vent. High pressure wastes fuel and destroys air vents.
Skipping the Skim
New boilers are covered in oil from the factory. If this oil isn't "skimmed" off (a process that takes hours), the water foams like a cappuccino. This foam gets trapped in pipes and prevents the house from heating.
Steam vs. Hot Water (Hydronic)
Chicago has both. We are experts in both.
Steam Heating
Common in pre-1950s buildings. Uses a glass sight gauge for water level. Radiators get very hot, very fast.
- Main Vent replacement (crucial for balance)
- Sight glass cleaning & replacement
- Low-water cutoff safety testing
Hot Water (Hydronic)
Uses pumps to circulate warm water. More efficient and precise than steam.
- Circulator pump replacement (Taco/Grundfos)
- Expansion tank service
- Zone valve troubleshooting
The "Bernie's Boiler" Promise
"I learned steam from the old-timers who are all retired now. When we install a boiler, we build a custom header. We pitch the pipes correctly. We skim the water. It takes longer, but your boiler will last 30 years instead of 10."
Or call (773) 900-6248