Help on repairing leak on 1926 low pressure steam boiler - Economic 20510

Economic20510

Attached are several pictures of my 1926 low pressure steam boiler. I have a leak in what appears to be one of the pipes that drains the boiler. A plumber suggested capping the leaking pipe and just having the drain come from the other pipe since their is already another drain pipe for that level of the boiler. A boiler repair person said he was confident to re-connect as is and wasn't worried that the pipe would snap off...if it did, he said he had a process for removing the broken pipe and replacing. Not sure what route to go. Not a lot of residential steam repair people in area. Love my steam heat, bills less than they were 18 years ago (other improvements with air-sealing, new windows, bringing in make-up air, offloading some load to high efficiency hot water boiler for in floor heat). In the midwest where the heating season is upon us and I don't want to be left without heat. Not sure I will be in the house long enough for a new boiler so I would love to fix what I have. Thank you for your help.

nicholas bonham-carter

I'm not quite sure what I am seeing in your pictures, but there appears to be a bad pipe in the last one.
A pipe can be removed from a tapping in the boiler without to much trouble by a skilled pro, so I would let the boiler man do his repair. While he is there, make sure any deferred maintenance is caught up, such as cleaning the pigtail, and checking the pressure. Have him look at your main vents, to make sure you have enough. Capacious main (not radiator) vents will shorten the time for steam to fill all the radiators at the same time, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
Some old boilers can have their economy improved by placing baffles in the combustion chamber to slow the hot gases down in order to suck the most heat out of them before they rise to the chimney.
Insulating any bare supply pipes will help as well.
All of these things will not improve economy as much as a new boiler; however you can buy a lot of fuel with the cost of a new one!--NBC

Steamhead

That pipe can be fixed as NBC said. But I would still replace that boiler- if you end up not staying there, a new boiler and having all that asbestos gone is a great selling point.