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Navien’s comb-boiler (NCB) has had its share of criticism and praise alike but in my opinion there is one thing that gets me a little more than excited, the fact that nearly half the boiler must be removed to replace a part that is known to fail more than most other parts on the unit. As you’ll see in the video the PCB, main control panel, some internal [and external] piping and circ pump all must be fully removed in order to gain access to a failed 3-way diverter valve.

If you’re not sure what the valve does, you may not be alone but its really quite simple; when idle the valve is in position to supply flow from the heat exchanger’s supply outlet to either the heating system load (hot supply to system) outlet or to the flat plate heat exchanger to satisfy a call for domestic hot water. The problem is that its a piston type valve that can and will fail in a partially open position when there’s a call for DHW. The results are low flow to a potable water faucet at higher than desired temps [hence the reason I always spec and install a thermostatic mixing valve on the domestic side outlet]. The fix, while very time consuming, is relatively simple.

Hopefully this step-by-step video will familiarize the process for you if you’re faced with replacing the valve for the first time.

If you’re interested in a tool that has helped tremendously in making the job just a little easier, check this out:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmmab9_nPiM/?taken-by=mechanicalhub

To see more specialized tools check out or friends at KC TOOL.

Navien’s combi-boiler is possibly the most common combi- in the US market but working on or replacing parts for the combi can be a real challenge. I’ve serviced and installed quite a few in the last 3-5 years and the flow sensor is definitely one part that seems to fail more than others. If you find yourself looking at this part replacement you may benefit from a couple tips I’ve shared in this video.

Please forgive the video quality, I decided to make this last minute and only had my iPhone (hand held without a tripod). If you find this useful please share with your friends or post to your favorite FB group.

If you’re interested in purchasing the tools I use in the video just click the links or pics below for the best pricing I have found.

Klein Stubby Ratcheting Driver

Milwaukee USB Rover

Brewster, N.Y. — Matco-Norca has announced the appointment of Brian Jennings to its Industrial sales team. Jennings comes aboard as Assistant Vice President of Sales, reporting to Vice President of Sales & Marketing Scott Bardreau. He will focus on Matco-Norca’s growing industrial products business.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Jennings brings solid industrial B2B sales experience to his new position, having worked previously for Apollo Valve and NIBCO.

Huntington Beach, Calif. — California Faucets celebrates 30 years as a manufacturer of artisan-crafted bath and kitchen fixtures. Over the course of three decades, California Faucets has helped shape the direction of the industry, offering a versatile mix of game-changing products that look and function better. At the same time, the manufacturer has remained true to its roots by focusing on old-fashioned customer service and efficient turnaround on custom orders of its premium-quality products.

California Faucets’ history of innovation has resulted in products and technologies that have shifted the industry’s approaches to both design and performance. Most notable among those is StyleDrain®, the first decorative shower drain with fast-flow efficiency. StyleDrain transformed a category that was once restricted to lackluster, industrial-like drains into a sleek focal point. The industry took notice of California Faucets’ innovations, recognizing StyleDrain and line extensions StyleDrain® Tile and CeraLine® with numerous awards, including three prestigious Best of Year (BoY) Awards from Interior Design (ID) magazine.

A fourth ID award was bestowed upon ZeroDrain®, the world’s first “pop-down” lavatory drain that turns a utilitarian product into a sleek design statement; the drain sits flush with the sink instead of awkwardly protruding. A one-finger touch opens and closes ZeroDrain, which makes installing and cleaning it fast and easy. Another breakthrough was California Faucets’ StyleTherm®, which brought advanced thermostatic technology, previously limited to the luxury market, into an affordable price point suitable for every bathroom in the home. Thanks to creative engineering and years of development, StyleTherm offers a range of features unavailable with pressure balance systems, including dialing-in to exact temperatures, no diverter valve required to toggle between shower applications, independent volume operation for each application, anti-scald protection, and a higher water flow rate.

Along with its reputation for innovation, California Faucets prides itself on its culture rooted in old-fashioned values and fine craftsmanship. With the mantra, “artisan hands, not mass produced,” the manufacturer continues to deliver custom-built, handcrafted solid-brass fixtures in 30-plus hand-produced finishes, even as it has gradually expanded in size and industry footprint.

The wide array of finishes, including 15 decorative PVD finishes with a lifetime guarantee against tarnishing, establish the brand as a world leader in PVD while playing an important role in the manufacturer’s ability to satisfy most any design vision. In essence, by offering the ability to customize any spout in any handle in any finish, California Faucets presents users with nearly limitless design freedom.

“Thanks to my father, Fred Silverstein, California Faucets was founded in 1988 with core values of delivering high-quality decorative faucets in a timely fashion supported by superior customer service. Thirty years later, these principles remain the core of our company culture,” says Jeff Silverstein, President & CEO. “Of course, while the DNA of our company hasn’t changed, we’ve evolved immensely in terms of innovation, technology, and design,” he says, noting that three family members are by his side in their dedication to ensuring the handmade faucet company his father built continues to evolve and thrive. In order of seniority, they include Jeff’s cousin Noah Taft, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales; his sisters, Tina Silverstein, who handles the company’s digital marketing and Sue Cuthbert, who recently joined as the new product launch coordinator. “Overall, we’ve created a formula that has gratifyingly resulted in stellar growth and an ability to continue delivering our luxury designer fittings on a grander scale. I’m proud that we’ve accomplished this growth and continue to be a leader in innovation all while sticking true to the roots my father established three decades ago.”

Fred Silverstein’s cultural vision also is reflected in the company’s devotion to its Huntington Beach home base, where it employs 180 people and has earned the coveted, “Made in California” designation. “We’re extremely proud to do all of our own design, engineering, finishing, and assembly right here in Huntington Beach,” says Noah Taft, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “In fact, California Faucets employs more American labor per faucet sold than almost any other faucet manufacturer, a detail that is just as important to the company’s legacy as our reputation for innovation and craftsmanship.”

To see more innovations and artisanship from California Faucets’ storied history, visit www.californiafaucets.com.