Dismantle old boiler

October 8, 2009 4:05 PM

How to dismantle an old Boiler?

We are replacing the boiler used for heating the house. We've taken it out, but it is very heavy and can't get it down the stairs. I am trying to take it apart. I removed a few parts, but it is still heavy. It looks like the vertical parts might be glued together (every alternate joint looks like a weld, but the others look like it they're glued.

Any ideas on how to take this thing apart?

A couple photos:
photo of boiler
close up of joints

posted by allelopath to Home & Garden (5 answers total)

Assuming you don't want it in the end - If you're in a reasonably decent sized area just look for scrappers on craigslist or post something like "boiler for scrap" with a picture. Mention that it's on the second floor and that they may have to take it apart to take it out. I've done this several times and they'll take anything metal.

As to how to take apart - it looks segmented. Are there tie rods (small rods with nuts on them) connecting the segments together? It's hard to tell from the first picture.
posted by true at 4:17 PM on October 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

If you don't want to save it a few whacks with a 10 lb sledge will break it up into manageable pieces. Wear eye protection.

FYI: the "welds" are casting flash.
posted by Mitheral at 4:25 PM on October 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Used the big sledge and a wedge and each segment came off. There were no tie rods, but rather each segment had a collet into the next.
Thanks for the tips. Its all done.
posted by allelopath at 6:27 PM on October 8, 2009

I second Craigslist for getting rid of the pieces -- I had dozens of responses within 1/2 hour for allowing people to haul away metal junk from my basement for free. I explicitly stated that I wouldn't help to carry anything heavy.
posted by zeikka at 6:37 PM on October 8, 2009

When our boiler was replaced, the installers guys had a two wheel dolly with a powered crawler built into it (between the vertical arms) that just dragged the thing up the basement stairs. I was amazed, and really wanted one.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:23 AM on October 9, 2009