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Steam boiler failure

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James Day_2
James Day_2 Member Posts: 191
in Strictly Steam
I'm a hydronics guy, not steam. Went to service a 5 year old burnham today, when I went to open the top to clean the heat exchanger I found that it is completely rotted out. What causes such premature failure. Thanks James

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  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
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    Rotted out?

    JD,

    What doyou mean by "Rotted Out"? Is the boiler leaking?
  • James Day_2
    James Day_2 Member Posts: 191
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    rotted

    opened the top of boiler and the heat exchanger crumbled in my hands. giant chunks of the heat exchanger pulled off with ease.
  • Rod
    Rod Posts: 2,067
    edited November 2011
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    Burnham Boiler Failure

    Could you post some pictures? Where are you located? Some parts of the country are having this problem due to the water.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,860
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    Too much make-up water

    is the usual cause. Look for underground return lines, bad vents, leaky valve packings.



    If this system is oil-fired, go with the Burnham MegaSteam. It was specifically designed to head off this problem. And it has the best efficiency of any residential steamer.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
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