Pink Stuff? Additive?

October Home

Hello Wallies, Thank you for being here.

Please help. What's this pink stuff? It's a 4 year old Burnham boiler. I want to know because I want to know if it's an indication that the system has an addative (anti-freeze?) and if that's the case, of course, there should be a special back flow prevention device (which isn't there)

Thank you, Arlene

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WV EGBERT_2

Backflow device

A backflow preventer should be installed on the boiler feed , regardless of wether antifreeze has been added or not.
The staining is an indication of "glycol weeping" but does not mean there is a steady "leak". Some glycol's are pink in color.

I hope all is well. Thanks for all you do !
See you around sometime.

Devan

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October Home

Thank you Devan

So there probably is an antifreeze in that system. You would guess that that pink stuff is glycol?

It is my understanding that a system with a antifreeze should have a backflow preventer that complies with ASSE 1013 which is a different kind that the ones installed on systems without antifreeze.

Well, anyway that's what is says in the current NYS residential code P2902.4.1

There are other issues, aren't there? I thought that a system containing antifreeze ought be labeled. And that a backflow preventer that complies with ASSE 1013 should be inspected at least once a year?

Thank you, so much, for the generous gifts of your time and resources.



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tim smith

That also could be 8 way boiler treatment

Kinda looks more like that to me. Either way, yes a backflow is needed. Here in Seattle, we have to put a reduced pressure backflow assembly with dual check and air gap on all boiler feeds, chemical or no. And have them tested yearly. Good luck, Tim

kpc_28

could it be....

gas/ air leak detector that someone sprayed on looking for a leak and never wiped it off? kpc

Toddid Goldsmith's

Pink stuff

How is the boiler fed? WE like to set up a seperate anti-freeze replenishing system,and not feed the system with potable water. Could that be what you have there? If anybody wants a home inspection, and wants it done right, "October Home Inspections"is the one to call,they worked side by side with the best. Todd

Brad White_194

I would say glycol too

Dowtherm I think is pink as may be NoBurst. The fact that it shows on the joints says glycol to me.We call it "leak detector

One way to find out is to draw some off. Glycol has a faint sweet smell. Put it in the freezer with a separate water control sample and check the freeze times at temperature.

Short of draining and flushing and reverting back to pure water, I do not know of a fix short of re-doping the joints or using -gasp- leak finder/boiler solder.

[Deleted User]

Pink additives...

When we order bulk glycol, it comes without the colorant. We add the coloration to the glycol, and NEVER have it connected to the make up for fear of inadvertent dillution.

By code, any boiler connected to a potable water source MUST have a back flow preventor applied. The grade/degree of protection (RZPBFP versus double check with intermediate atmospheric break) is dictated by the AHJ.

And yes, I agree that the appliance should be well marked to avoid someone dumping the charge down the drain. THat stuff is not cheap.

The only way to identify whether or not it is glycol is to test it with a refractometer or one of the manufacturers test strips. The refractometer works on all glycols. The test strips are exclusive to the brand manufacturer.

ME