damaged female threads

STEAM DOCTOR

Good evening. I had to remove a radiator riser from steam main. Customer wants radiator moved. The access was incredibly tight. In the process of cutting out the nipple I damaged the female threads on the steam main T. There are two vertical cuts in the T. I was able to screw a nipple into the main. What can I do to reduce the likelihood of leaks? I am thinking of putting a few wraps of blue Teflon and  high temp caulk on the male nipples. In addition I might put some jb weld around the rim. The boiler isn't installed so I cant check for leaks. This is the last riser on the main so worst case scenario I can break the last riser fitting and replace the main from there. Access is tight so that is not a fun option. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Al Letellier_21

damaged female threads

No problem....happens all the time in stean work...remember that the pressure you see in a normal residential steam main should never be more than a pound or two and that makes sealing threads a lot easier.Blue teflon and a good pipe dope usually work quite well. Several of the old timer tricks ( I are one....an old timer that is) is to use a little wicking on the male thread .....just wrap a thin stranded into the threads and cover with pipe dope and you should be all set.

IF you are really worried about it, get some EXPANDO pipe dope....a powder you mix with water to the consistancy of cake frosting and coat the threads.....it's is used a lot in refrigeration and dried so hard and tight it is almost impossible to get out later...it sets like cement and will fill almost any imperfections in the threads.

Good luck

Greg Maxwell

Expando

We used Expando with excellent results when we had a european boiler line that had BSP threads on the supply & return of the boiler. Just dont expect to get it out once it sets up!

gerry gill

I've used with great success,

Permatex high temp, black gasket sealer on threads.

STEAM DOCTOR

hercules hi temp

I have the hercules high temp red silicone. Its rated up to 600 degrees. Would that also do the trick? Thanks

STEAM DOCTOR

hercules hi temp

I have the hercules high temp red silicone. Its rated up to 600 degrees. Would that also do the trick? Thanks

Steamhead

It should

wrap it with some Teflon tape then apply the silicone. Works well for us. 

Mad Dog_2

Me to

Permatex and lamp wick.  Mad Dog

Steamhead

DAWGGGG!

Good to see you online- where ya been hiding ;-)