I've gotta say, your maintenance routine sounds solid, but I'm not sure I'd dismiss inhibitors completely. I used to think the same way until I helped replace a boiler that was only about 6 years old—pipes were already corroding from the inside out. Turns out the homeowner's water wasn't even particularly hard, just slightly acidic. Inhibitors aren't magic, but in some situations, they can definitely extend the life of your system...might be worth reconsidering, especially if you haven't tested your water recently.
Good point about inhibitors—I used to think they were mostly marketing hype until I looked into it myself. Turns out even mildly aggressive water chemistry can quietly eat away at your system without obvious signs, especially in copper or steel pipes. Regular water testing is definitely a good idea; I've found inexpensive home kits online that give a decent indication of pH and hardness. A small upfront investment can save a lot of headaches (and money) down the road...speaking from experience here.
I used to think the same thing about inhibitors being mostly marketing fluff until I had a tenant call me at 3 AM because water was dripping from their ceiling. Turns out, the copper pipes in that old rental had been quietly corroding away for years. The plumber who came out (nice guy, but charged like he was fixing the Titanic) showed me how thin the pipe walls had gotten—honestly, it looked like someone had sanded them down from the inside.
After that fiasco, I started paying way more attention to water chemistry. Those cheap home test kits you mentioned are great—I keep one handy now. But even with regular testing, I've found that older systems can still throw curveballs at you. Like the time I thought I'd finally mastered boiler maintenance, only to discover a hidden section of galvanized pipe tucked behind drywall that had rusted through completely. Fun times...
Makes me wonder though—has anyone here tried switching over to plastic piping (PEX or similar) for boiler systems? I've heard mixed things: some swear by it for ease of installation and corrosion resistance, others say it's not ideal for higher temperatures or long-term durability. Curious if anyone has real-world experience with it in their heating setups.
I've heard good things about PEX for domestic water lines, but honestly, I'd hesitate to use it on a boiler system. Boilers run hotter than regular plumbing, and I've seen some PEX setups get brittle or sag over time when exposed to higher temps. Copper can be pricey and tricky, sure, but it still feels like the safer bet for heating lines—especially if you're already keeping an eye on water chemistry. Just my two cents though...
Definitely agree about being cautious with PEX on boiler lines. I've used it plenty for domestic water without issues, but heating systems are a different animal altogether. Even the so-called "heat-rated" PEX can struggle over time if temps spike or fluctuate frequently. Copper might be pricier upfront, but honestly, the peace of mind is worth it. Plus, copper dissipates heat better, which can slightly boost efficiency—small bonus there. Had a neighbor redo his setup twice because of sagging PEX... not fun.
