Leak with condensate unit/pump

innirvana1

Hi,

I just turned my heat on today to test the system out before it gets too cold. I noticed that when my Hoffman Watchman Condensate Unit turns on, water shoots out of it. It seems to be out of a specific square hole between the pump and the rest of the condensate unit. I've attached a picture circling where the water comes out. The model of condensate unit is WCS-8-20B. Should I take the pump off and look for a part that has gone bad? maybe a seal or something?

Steamhead

Sounds like a bad seal

we usually install a new or rebuilt pump when this happens, as the sealing surfaces are often pitted.



But the question I would ask is, can we eliminate that pump altogether and go with simple gravity return?

innirvana1

i'm open to the idea

I don't know if i really need the condensate unit.....I just bought this house and it's always had it. I'm no expert by far....i've just been slowly learning the system over the years. But I'm open to bypassing it. The less to go wrong, the better. But would could go wrong if it DOES need it and I get rid of it? I think a new pump is around $100 or so? What might happen if i don't have the condensate return?

thanks,

Steamhead

Uhhhh, that replacement pump

is a LOT more expensive than that. We aren't supposed to discuss pricing here, so that's all I'll say on the subject.



Almost all residential steam systems were designed so the condensate could return by gravity. This kept things simple and reliable. Some Vapor systems had return traps to pump condensate back if the boiler pressure got too high. But now we have Vaporstats to keep the pressure low enough that a pump is not needed.



Have a steam pro look at it. Where are you located?

innirvana1

What would happen?

So what would happen if my system DID need that whole condensate/pump unit but it was removed?  Would other things go wrong?  Would it just not heat as well?

I'm in south west iowa.  I might just have this local plumber come over and look at it for me.  He seems to know steam heating pretty well.

thanks,

Brad White

Not to interject but

I agree with Steamhead, it seems like it could a bad seal (reminds me of a joke involving a walrus and Tupperware, but that another story.)



The fact that water is shooting out says to me that it could also be an eroding pin hole or casting defect on the pressure side of the volute. (The inlet of the impeller is negative/atmospheric pressure, the outside is positive.)



I am sure Steamhead will elaborate, but very few old systems (none for the most part), used anything other than gravity and the natural differential pressures in a steam system to return the condensate. Condensate pumps were added to compensate for other deficiencies such as a new boiler with lower water volume or a new boiler being installed at a higher elevation than the original.



Short-term, probably a pump replacement. Long term (restoring the system to passive balance) is another discussion. I yield the floor, Mr. Chairman.



Basically, whatever Steamhead tells you, just do it. You are in good hands.