Removing an old boiler

I have an old boiler that I want to remove. It's in a tight confined area so a blow torch would be too dangerous. I've been told an acetylene torch would be far less dangerous and that it would take four hours to cut this thing up. It weighs a thousand pounds or more, so there's no way to move it unless it's cut up in more manageable pieces.

The code officials want me to remove it so that's the only reason.

--207.172.xx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 4:52 PM
Message:

This is not cast iron but solid steel. Apparently when the house was built, they put this in first and built everything around it. Built to last forever. --207.172.xx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by Ed [PA]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 5:21 PM
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What code enforcement rule did they twist to make you remove an obsolete boiler? --72.95.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 5:32 PM
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You might be able to find someone on craigslist with the ability to cut it up and remove it for the scrap value,worth a try,i get rid of all kinds of stuff on craislist --72.231.xxx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by 1Gr81 [NC]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 5:50 PM
Message:

I see that you are in PA. I won't pretend to act like I understand how a heavy duty boiler is made for northern climates (yes you are! ;), but here in NC, I have used a sawzaw (Sawzall) and a large pack of some good blades, and made short work of a boiler demolition. Bonus points...take it to the scrapyard and recoup the cost of the blades.

Just a thought

Oh yeah...safety glasses! --74.124.xxx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 6:26 PM
Message:

A sawsall isn't getting through this thing. Someone tried that and didn't even leave a flesh wound on this thing. This municipality is a pita. This thing may be impossible to get out as it's in a very confined space. I may have to appeal for relief.

--70.20.xxx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by Lurking Girl [OH]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 6:29 PM
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So you know how Show like Forged in Fire and such have made black smithing and metal work the in thing... welll steel has become a desirable thing. Once you cut it up you cam put it on Letgo and maybe get someone to pay you to let them haul it off. Lol --67.43.xxx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by 1Gr81 [NC]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 6:45 PM
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Gkarl. I totally admit my lack of understanding of the "beef" that your boiler may be made of, but I consistently cut cast w a sawzall and I can't imagine that it could be worse than that.

I won't beat the topic to death, but as you probably know, (and can share w whatever worker is running the saw) the mistake almost everyone makes is cutting too fast. Metal is meant to be cut veeeeeerrry slow. Slow enough to watch the filings fall. (lubricating oil, doesn't hurt either) The first "penetrations" of any metal is the most difficult part. A few linear drill holes or a "through cut" w the sacrificial blades of a grinder, can help that frustration (and reduce your bottom line.) I guess what I'm trying to say is....Is the person that may potentially be doing the work..trying to steer you to the easiest (not cheapest) path?

Just a thought.

The job is he##, no matter how it is done.

Best of luck.

--74.124.xxx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by moby [IN]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 7:17 PM
Message:

I have used a splitting wedge and a sledge to separate the sections of boilers and radiators. I put the wedge between the sections and tappy tap tap, the sections pop apart. Hopefully the sections are manageable individually. --68.60.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 7:23 PM
Message:

Angle grinder with skinny blades to get started, use old clothes to capture the sparks - wet them as needed, the blades don't last long but shooting sparks makes it fun. --76.188.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Landlord ofthe Flies [TX]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 8:29 PM
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Can you wall it up somewhere in the basement? Betting there's a section of the basement you could brick up and time capsule this thing if it's indestructible. --108.69.xxx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 8:44 PM
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also keep in mind that you may have an environmental headache on your hands once you begin to remove it and there is old oil spilling about and the metal pieces are 'contaminated' now. What's the worst the code enforcement can do to you, fine you to death? I'd try pushing back, in the gentle way of asking for clarification on the code req.

If it is not currently leaking, I'd avoid making it holy. --24.194.xx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 8:47 PM
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My opps thought you were referring to an oil tank. Time to turn in. --24.194.xx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 9:36 PM
Message:

A angle grinder along chop saw can be used to cut out sections. It also possible to use a arc welder to cut out sections but be sure to use a fan. Another option is to use plasma cutter but a expensive tool. Also will require a air compressor as well to use a plasma cutter. --147.194.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: May 24, 2018 11:14 PM
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LOTF, Someone had suggested burying it, but the basement floor is concrete. It's lying on its side on the floor. A hoist to get it upright would snap the joists above assuming you can even get something into the confined space this thing is in. But if I could get it upright and move it, I might be able to wall it off. Best case scenario is to cut it up and remove. --207.172.xx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 3:05 AM
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We routinely use both a grinder with a metal blade or one of the Milwaukee "Torch" series or the Diablo carbide tipped sawall blades to cut up thick steel. One of my plumbers uses some kind of diamond blade in his grinder to cut up boilers. The trick a 1GR81 said is to go slow, not force the blade, lubricate to help cool and allow the blade to do it work. --72.93.xxx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by nhsailmaker [NH]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 3:44 AM
Message:

You could think outside the box.

How much are you willing to pay to have it removed?

Offer $$$ as a reward to the team of guys that wins the competition.

2) talk to a local trade school and see if they want the challenge.

Fire dept have jaws of life. Something like that might move it.

I was able to get mine to the cellar door area. I removed the stairs and put boiler in that space and I had a tow truck extend its arm inside cellar and lifted it out.

Tow truck was $100 and I got $60 at local scrap metal guy

--24.34.xx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by Nicole [PA]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 5:06 AM
Message:

house I'm working on right now has the same thing ... was coal, converted to oil, covered in asbestos. It's been sitting 3 feet away from the "new" boiler that was put in 20 years ago because all they did back then was somehow "inch" it across the floor to make room for the "new" one. No idea how to remove these monsters. --72.70.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Andrew, Canada [ON]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 6:00 AM
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Is it one piece or sections squeezed together with threaded shafts. Are you sure its not cast iron? --65.94.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 9:41 AM
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GKARL,,what kind of a city idiot would even want you to remove something like that,he's been too Lon,G on the job ,so vet rid of him,put in a complaint against him,harassment,anything you cs come up with...........charlie........................ --174.199.x.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 9:47 AM
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There is on the market Sawzall blades with Carbide tipped teeth that can cut though your boiler like butter. At $5.00 a blade, which lasts about 20 times longer than a standard blade -- this should be the method or destruction/removal. --47.156.xx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 12:08 PM
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Another option but somewhat dangerous is slug hammer then break up the boiler then take away pieces. If it is gas boiler then why does the building inspector require removal. Removing a boiler can be dangerous as the boiler is heavy along if broken up there are going to be sharp pieces. --147.194.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 12:23 PM
Message:

Doing it with a sawsall would definitely be far safer. It's just going to take awhile. I think I'm going to hire someone and attempt to do this and let them keep the proceeds of from any sale of the steel. Actually, I may take Ken's suggestion and advertise for someone to attempt it. This is brain dead work, so maybe pay someone minimum wage and get them a sawsall and some blades and let them have at it. I posted some pictures of this furnace along with the building itself. The furnace is shown in the last three pictures.

Robert, this is an old old boiler. As I said, this particular city is just a PITA to operate in. --207.172.xx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 12:25 PM
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I meant it's an old OIL boiler. --207.172.xx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: May 25, 2018 6:54 PM
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Seems like a dangerous thing to attempt in the first place since you say the structure was built around it. I would get a lawyer and start appealing that I think. And I don't think I would get a novice in there who could start a fire. Time to get out the Yellow Pages. --73.178.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: May 26, 2018 7:19 AM
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Gkarl, once you take off the 3 screws holding the burner fan pump combo on the end you will be left with the old old boiler - hehe... --76.188.xxx.xx

Removing an old boiler (by Nellie [ME]) Posted on: May 26, 2018 8:08 PM
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Like Nicole, I have an old steam boiler sitting in a basement. Because there is asbestos in it (entirely contained in the metal jacket) we were told it would cost $5000 to remove it and have transported to a safe landfill in 1994. We boxed that sucker up with 2x4s and Sheetrock and there she sits. Taking up a 3’ x 3’ space in the basement.

The oil burner techs are fascinated with it if they see it. The building is circa 1920, but the boiler has been dated at circa 1900. Coal converted to oil. In operation until 1994. The theory is that it was salvaged from the Bangor Fire that occurred shortly before the House was built. --64.223.xxx.xxx

Removing an old boiler (by tryan [MA]) Posted on: May 28, 2018 12:32 PM
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List it on Craigslist FREE STUFF .... I can't believe the free labor I've received to haul scraps.

That said I once pulled a piano up thru a bulk head opening. Took most a day and the upright piano was esentially worthless (un tuneable). --198.168.xx.xxx

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Removing an old boiler

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