surfaces for painting . It is a highly water-soluble ionic salt and dissolved in water has an alkaline pH . Since TSP can corrode metal , after TSP has been used to clean the boiler , it should be flushed out and the boiler refilled with clean water . With especially contaminated boilers more than one treatment of TSP may be required , so don ’ t forget to always flush and check pH last . TSP is also used in various forms as a boiler treatment chemical for calcium precipitation .
If copper is used above the water line on steam the pipes and solder joints can leach into the water and make the water acidic which will not only damage the boiler , but may also not allow the boiler water to boil as easily ; this is only one of the reasons for not doing above-the-water-line steam piping in copper .
Many old timers will tell you that you must add vinegar to all new steam boilers or expect problems . Many will counter by saying that baking soda should be added . Who ’ s right ? Well , they both may be , but the place to start is by flushing and draining and re-flushing a new boiler with clean water and then measuring the
incoming water pH to begin with and then treating for the water condition present in the boiler .
Those that add baking sodas are those that are trying to lower the acidic level of the entering water . Those that are adding vinegar are trying to reduce high alkalinity and bring the water more towards the neutral side ( Figure 1 ). But it all starts and finishes with knowing more about the pH values you ’ re dealing with from start to finish .
So , if you work around water , and most of us do , you should have a pH tester since it will not only help you with boiler water condition problems but can also help you with a lot of domestic
Figure 2 hot water problems . There are many inexpensive pH testers on the market today with prices as low as under $ 20 ( Figure 2 ). Thanks for reading this . See ya ! l FON
George Lanthier is the owner of Firedragon Academy . His website and contact information can be found at www . FiredragonEnt . com .
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