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Is this the end?

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BurntFingers
BurntFingers Member Posts: 38
in Strictly Steam
1996 Crown 150k piped in all copper

I've been chasing down a leak in my system for a while now. Checked everything except the obvious..
Since we had record low temps in the past week the boiler has needed makeup water almost daily (not metered, just me adding another 1/2" to 1" a day). Got a chance to open it up and over-filled with water for only 4 hours; afterwards, no water on floor or bottom of the boiler.. But behind the fiberglass on the water feed line, I used a flathead screwdriver to gently feel around.. And got a small scoop of some corrosion slurry. Slow leak. What do you guys think the chances are of salvaging this boiler for a few more years? Won't be able to tell much before that Hartford Loop water inlet is removed, but any thoughts from those of you with all the experience?

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  • deadmansghost
    deadmansghost Member Posts: 32
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    Experience tells me that what you see is the tip of the iceberg, and boilers and labour prices will not go down in the future. So replace it now.
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
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    It's a done deal and will only get worse, once steam takes over it'll corrode that faster then you can think. Time for a new boiler.
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  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,062
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    Personally I wouldn't put a wrench to that loop until the heating season is over. Can we see your copper piping? May as well start with suggestions early.
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,295
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    Yeah when I saw that corrosion person I kinda figured it wouldn't last that much longer
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
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  • BurntFingers
    BurntFingers Member Posts: 38
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    This is just really bad timing for us..

    Gotta ask.. When corrosion starts at the water supply line, is it possible that the supply elbow and starter threads are most affected? If possible, would we dare try repiping with proper black pipe and extra pipe dope? Boiler solder?
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,326
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    I have yet to know a leak to improve with time... you may well manage to get through the rest of the season with it -- one can hope -- but it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a really good steam man all lined up and ready to go come spring. The good ones tend to be busy and stay busy!

    I don't think I would fuss with repiping now, although you might be able to recover some of it. The pressures are -- or should be -- low enough that you might be able to try some JB Weld on the more obvious places, but these things tend to be really lacy even before they start to leak.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,948
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    I wouldn't touch it at all and keep your fingers crossed. Trying to mess with it can only make it worse.
    KC_Jones

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