water flooded cast iron boiler

ALH_4

The issue has less to do with the heat exchanger itself than with everything else. Virtually nothing besides the heat exchanger can be safely saved, and rather than save a couple hundred bucks (if that) by fixing the flooded boiler and risk missing something it is preferrable to replace the entire boiler.

Plus it's already 20 years old. In my opinion, it's time for a new boiler. I would be surprised if the insurance company would not agree with replacing the entire unit.

Jay_22

water flooded cast iron boiler

I got a call from an insurance company to inspect a 275k oil
fired boiler. The boiler had been running when a pipe broke on the street and caused water to come into the basement. The boiler was in a sub basement 80 feet away from where the water came into the basement. The water in the boiler room which is about 1500 square feet rose above the top of the boiler. The boiler had been running. I know the bottom of the boiler is about 130f and the top of the boiler is 190f. I also know that the hot water in the boiler will allow it to cool slowly as the cast iron is still being warmed by the boiler water inside and heating the flood water a bit before it emersed the boiler. The controls had been changed and the burner had been changed already. I went there about 6 weeks after the flood and the boiler had no leaks, I pulled the jacket away and looked at the outside of the boiler and I saw some loose cement between the sections, the boiler is about 20 plus years old and the cement may have been loose already. I didn't see any evidence of water leaking inside the boiler or around the fire chamber. The chamber blanket in the fire chamber was good. I ruled that the boiler had no physical damage at the time of my inspection. The home owner is pressing the adjuster for a new boiler as he says his boiler is ruined. Plese repond asap if you have any insight or have actually dealt with a cast iron boiler totally submerged. I'm looking for a unbiosed opinion not a boiler company or salesman wanting to sell a boiler.

Thank you in advance
Jay

Brad White_9

Let me see here....

I pulled the jacket away and looked at the outside of the boiler and I saw some loose cement between the sections, the boiler is about 20 plus years old and the cement may have been loose already.

I do not have a crystal ball either but a 20 year old boiler... to get you through a winter is one thing but we are talking a lifetime ahead of you.

What is the advantage to holding on to your "the boiler is fine" determination?

I know what I would do.

As read here in other posts, some insurers take no chances and declare flooded boilers total losses.

Al Letellier_9

flooded boiler

I do what you just did for a living....I do forensic work for insurance companies and I feel you handled yourself very well on this one. It is your job to report on what you see and that you did. It is up to the insurance company to decide how far they go with this. Did they ask for you to evaluate the potential longevity of this boiler? Do they or the insured think that you are infallible and have X-ray vision? You did what you were asked to do....you inspected the unit and reported on its condition. Sleep well at night and know you did a good job.
I see many boilers that should be replaced, just due to age and lack of efficiency, but the responsibility of the insurance company it to get the insured back to where they were before the flood. A lot of people think that insurance of this type is for upgrading equipment and it usually isn't. IF the boiler was repaired and is completely as operational as it was before the incident, the job is done. Let the insurer decide if they want to go the extra mile.......good work !!! And don't worry about getting involved legally in any dispute...you stated your opinion and did what you were hired to do. You might get called as a witness if this dispute goes to court (they rarely do) but the jury will decide who is right or wrong.

Unknown

this insurnace company

I had one steam boiler job in the pit of apt/storefront building...during the heavy rain, sewer backed up and was over the gas valve train... I told the customer that it must replaced for safety reason, etc,etc... His insurnace company contacted me and demanding to know why it must be replaced after it been flooded... Told him its always been the manufactures' policy to have them replaced.. He asked me to prove it.. Sure I told him that if I was doing his job and I will bill him according for the time I'm researching and proving the "case". Meantime, I asked for his boss and boss's boss so I can add to my letterhead ... Result, never did the "paperwork", never heard from him.. Got paid full.