Big Boiler Problem

Jeff111

This isn't fun.  I have a 1957 Crane boiler in an 11-unit apartment building.  It's a hot water system.



I just had the circulator pump and impeller replaced for $3000.



Now, the water intake is always on.  And if I turn it off, the boiler loses its water and shuts down.



Obviously it's leaking, but we don't know where. 



There are three apartments in the basement level.  I had a water detection guy come out and he found a bathroom floor in one unit that is 117 degrees. I am hoping that's where the leak is.



We found a closet there with both heat lines, and we'll put valves and a bypass on the today for testing purposes.  Any thoughts?  Thanks.

Steve Whitbeck

leak

Inject air into the line and you will probably hear where the leak is.

When you locate the leak don't just put a coupling on the break. Cut out about 8 inches and make a tight loop of soft copper and put that loop under the concrete. cover the loop with sand and then repair the cement. This gives the copper pipe somewhere to move as it heats up.