Is there a wrap that works for leaking steam elbow?

Joseph_4

I have a customer, old small apt building, that one of  steam pipes in ceiling leaks at the joint where the pipe is screwed into elbow. leaks every so often at seam. Is there a wrap that help in such situations to avoid cutting ceiling and removing length of pipe and putting back with union?

Thanks

Joe

nicholas bonham-carter

band-aid for leaking pipe?

get out your sawsall, and pipe wrench as probably, it is best to fix it right once and for all.

what is the maximum pressure this system gets up to? if the pressuretrol is running wild, some joints will leak, so turning down the pressure to 1.5 psi max might reduce the problem. for other joints of the same age. you will not be able to see much with the standard 0-30 psi gauge, so get a 0-3 psi from gaugestore.com, and you will know what the exact pressure is, and be able to protect the other old joints in the system!

how much make-up water has been being added to this boiler? too much will kill the boiler with the excessive oxygen of the fresh water.--nbc

Todd_33

Here is a wrap -

I have a couple returns that are badly corroded from inside and outside. It's an older steam boiler ( 1920s !!! ) so I'm afraid to remove the pipe. I web searched this "STOP IT pipe repair system." There is a video that looks good. I bought 3 wraps but haven't installed yet. The wrap works like the old plaster cast material - soak in water then wrap pipe. The woven material is coated with a water activated material that first foams and expands then hardens. Looks very promising but you never know. Costs about $50 each for 4inch by 12 foot wrap. Replacing pipe is probably best but this may be an adequate (short term?) fix. Good luck

Todd_33

Here is a wrap -

I have a couple returns that are badly corroded from inside and outside. It's an older steam boiler ( 1920s !!! ) so I'm afraid to remove the pipe. I web searched this "STOP IT pipe repair system." There is a video that looks good. I bought 3 wraps but haven't installed yet. The wrap works like the old plaster cast material - soak in water then wrap pipe. The woven material is coated with a water activated material that first foams and expands then hardens. Looks very promising but you never know. Costs about $50 each for 4inch by 12 foot wrap. Replacing pipe is probably best but this may be an adequate (short term?) fix. Good luck