How to do a decent patch

Scott Poulin

Hi all,

Okay, the subject line may be an oxymoron, but I'm trying to avoid spending several grand this winter on a new steam boiler.

Last March the thing started losing water like crazy and I could hear a suspicious hissing sound around the flu as it ran. I pulled of the jacket/casing (yeah, I'm a DIY-guy, at least as much as I can, so please excuse any incorrect terminology), and sure enough there was a 1/4" hole at the top of one of the sections. I guess I'm lucky in that the hole was at the top rather than the bottom.

I wire brushed and scrubbed as best I could, I think I stuck a small nut or something in there as filler, and used plumber's epoxy to patch it. It lasted until now. I suppose I could repeat and maybe get through December, and then have to patch again and again all winter, but is there a better way than what I've done?

I saw mention here of JB Weld, is that worth a try? Should I try and rivet another piece of metal around the patch? Or use naval jelly to get rid of the rust before patching?

Yes, I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll need to replace this thing without fail next summer. Lucky me, I have two furnaces that need replacing, as the other one in the house is getting on in years too.

Any thoughts/help appreciated...

Thanks!
Scott

Unknown

Scott Poulin

Tough to help someone who knows the problem only too well (since last March) and still refuses to open his wallet.
We all see this far, far too often.
Good Luck!

Dave

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

make sure your

Low water cutoff is working. If you lose all your water suddenly, and it dosen't shut off your boiler, a red hot boiler could burn your house down. Bob Gagnon

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Rich L.

JB Weld

Hi Scott, The hole in the boiler section is a sure sign of a problem. It means the useful life of your boiler is gone.

JB Weld is some amazing stuff that could work in this instance. But it's like putting a band aid on a severed limb.

Don't take the words of these other guys lightly, an unscheduled boiler relocation (explosion) would really ruin your day, at the least. If you know you need to replace this boiler (obviously) why not bite the bullet and do it now rather than next summer? If you won't have the money until then I'm sure you could find short term financing and just pay it off when you have the cash.

Scott I don't know you or where you live, but if I read about some guys family that dies this winter because the boiler in his house blew up I'm going to be sick. And this time it's even worse than the unsuspecting family that gets hurt or killed, you know there's a problem. Professional advice: you know the savings are very short term, don't risk your home, life, or your family's life, replace the boiler now.

Rich L

Robert O'Brien

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/saturday/longisland/ny-liboom105454721nov10,0,1104477.story

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Scott Poulin

Message Received

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses and concern; the low water cutoff is okay as that was replaced a couple years ago. But the sentiment expressed here is taken to heart - if I'm lax about flushing the thing, or whatever, and the cutoff fails... boom. That's no good.

My idea was to replace both boilers at once, which would probably burn through our rainy day fund, which I really need to keep in the bank as I'm self-employed, so it looks like we'll need to look into a home equity line or similar. But enough melodrama.

In the meantime I'll patch the thing again so I don't have to refill the water every day until the $$ comes through.

Anyone in the Boston area interested in an even-up swap of labor for graphic/web design work?

Scott

Rich L.

Trade work?

If I lived in the area I'd take you up on it Scott, but that 1,000 mile plus commute would kill me! Good luck.

Have a happy and SAFE Thanksgiving!