Fixing leak on heating pipes

MacBosnia

I've had issues with a leak in a pipe directly over my Utica gas/hot water boiler (we have radiators throughout the house).  The quick question is, is it possible to tape the leaking pipe, add a compound on top of the tape, and then for the pipe to 'fix itself' over time?  Is it possible for the compound to congeal or something like that to seal the leak?



The longer story is that the heating system wasn't working.  We called a company to come fix it.  They cleaned things out, and told us we needed a new circulator

pump. They drained the whole system, bled the

radiators, got the heat up and running, but told me that the leak was

still a problem and they couldn't fix it.  After lots of cajoling they gave it another shot and tried to fix the leak (they couldn't do it before because fixing one pipe led to the one above it to break, etc).  So they came out again and this time we're left with the above tape scenario. Now when we press on the tape (and compound) water seeps out from under the tape. So the question is, is it possible for the leak to seal/fix itself over time?  Does that actually happen?  Or is that just a bogus answer?

Thanks, M.  

lchmb

Is this

on copper pipes? Plastic pipes? How about a pic? Putting a patch on a water leak is just a temporary fix..

MacBosnia

Leak in supply line

Thank you.  It's a leak in the supply line pipe.  It looks like it's galvanized piping.  (I only have a picture on the phone and can't figure out how to get it off the phone.)

MacBosnia

Leak in supply line

Galvanized steel.

MacBosnia

Leak in supply line

Any idea how difficult a job this is to fix?  These guys seem to be having problems with it. How much do you think it would (or should) cost to fix this?

kcopp

Gee the only.....

way I see is to back to  a place where you can transition to copper or pex. That may be a number of fittings. We don't talk pricing here but depending on the job it may very well be involved. Galvy water piping can be a real mess...you will have to deal w/ it sooner or later.

MacBosnia

Leak in supply line

Apparently it's where the new-ish boiler (which is about 15 years old) connects to the older pipes that were there from a previous (oil) boiler (about 85 years old; the house was built in 1925).  Galvanized steel connecting to cast iron(?)



So putting some kind of compound where the leak is definitely won't fix the problem?  It will definitely require new piping to (permanently) fix it?

MacBosnia

Leak in supply line

Do you suggest a plumber or a heating specialist?  It's dealing with piping (so plumber?) but it's also connected to the heating system (heating people?)  The last people I had were heating people, but they didn't seem to know how to handle the piping issues (although their web site and voice mail says they handle plumbing....hmmmm!)

lchmb

well

I work for an oil/gas company and I fix issue's like this all the time. Worst case, repipe the boiler. If you allow this to continue, you'll do more damage than good with the fresh water your adding to the system...See if someone can come in and give you an estimate to replace the bad piping..not patch it..

MacBosnia

Leak in supply line

Do you have any recommendations who can handle this job (and do a good job).  I don't want to waste any more $ (let's get it fixed once and for all!)  I'm looking for someone in the Baltimore area.

lchmb

check

the link at the top of the page for "find a contractor"... I am located in central NH so would get a little lost trying to get to you...

MacBosnia

Leak in supply line

  Yes, that's a bit far.  Thank you.

kcopp

Logical thought....

would be to call a couple of reputable places and describe to them what you have. Ask them for a guarantee that they can repair it..

MacBosnia

Leak in supply line

Good idea.  Thank you!