Replace main vent

dmcs

In trying to replace a gorton valve on my old single pipe system, i broke the nipple off in the main line pipe. It was on an elbow in spot with little room to work. Is it possible to drillout the hole and retap? Do i find a new spot and someow cap the old tapping? Thank you.

ethicalpaul

Several possibilities exist including both that you mentioned. Can you show us some pictures?

My first thought would be to (rather than drill out) use a small hacksaw blade to try to cut free the remainder of the nipple so it can be carefully chiseled out, but it's hard to say without seeing it.

dmcs

Thank you. I'll take a picture tonight and post. I thought about the hacksaw too but didn't know there were ones small enough to fit. If i decide tp cap the old one is there a way to do that without removing the old nipple?

Jamie Hall

Do you have a big easyout that might fit?

dmcs

Not large enough but ciuld get one. Rusted in there pretty good - do you think that would work?

Fred

If it was on an elbow, can you remove the elbow and replace it?

ethicalpaul

dmcs said:

Thank you. I'll take a picture tonight and post. I thought about the hacksaw too but didn't know there were ones small enough to fit. If i decide tp cap the old one is there a way to do that without removing the old nipple?

They make pretty small ones, but you can also break off the end of a normal hacksaw blade and grab it with locking pliers and slowly make your cuts. It's not too bad because you want to work really slowly with this kind of operation anyway to keep from (overly) damaging the threads. Teflon tape and pipe dope can "fix" quite a bit of the results of your cutting.

To plug it you can just do something janky with a plug and some JB weld or something to seal it, it should only be a couple PSI max, but only do that if you can find another place for your vent (but you already know this I think)

JUGHNE

The way I understand it is that there is a broken nipple left in the steam main tee. The elbow snapped off?

dmcs

The tap was on the elbow and the nipple broke off in the elbow. The elbow on main is otherwise fine. Here are some pictures.

JUGHNE

Is that nipple an 1/8" pipe? I would be tempted to drill it out to the next size of pipe thread to gain more air venting.

It is fortunate that those are cast iron fittings, if things go bad.
That reducing 90 would be easy to "crack" with 2 hammers.
You could replace it with a bullhead tee, 45 and union to drop down to the lower coupling.
Then vent off the other run of the tee with horizontal offset to get the vent away from water hammer.

ethicalpaul

Yeah seeing that I'm with @JUGHNE. The picture in my head was a reducing tee with a real tapping and doesn't apply to your situation.

acwagner

How much space is between the tap location and the drain pipe behind it?

dmcs

Not a lot of space at all, but hopefully enough for drilling and tap.
Yes, I think it is 1/8 piping.

Fred

If you are planning to try and use that same elbow, you may want to consider plugging the existing hole and tap a new one on the top side of the elbow.

JUGHNE

Fred, yes, I was wondering why both vents were tapped into the sides.

Fred

JUGHNE said:

Fred, yes, I was wondering why both vents were tapped into the sides.

And on the backside no less!

dmcs

That would be easier to work on the top. What's the best way to plug the hole? I thought I might have to drill and tap anyway to screw in a plug. What sort of plug might I use with JB Weld or do I fill the whole space with JB Weld? Thanks for all the tips!

acwagner

If you have the space to re-tap the existing hole, I'd do that and put a plug in.

I've tried both JB Weld and RTV Silicone for temporary repairs on steam leaks, and the RTV held up better. Like painting, it's all in the surface prep. Those repairs were only for half a season until I could make a permanent repair during the summer.

dmcs

Got it, thank you, all

Danny Scully

I would just drill that exiting hole for 1/4”. Then use a 1/4” tap. Don’t bother plugging and re-drilling.

dmcs

Jamie Hall's suggestion of trying an easy out worked! Thanks again!

dmcs

Here's a photo

Steamhead

So how much better does the system work?

dmcs

Probably have to wait for some cold weather to know - but hoping that replacing no.1 vent that did not seem to work with new no.2 will help the radiator upstairs on that line heat up faster and balance with the rest of the house.