Pinhole leak steam return - Epoxy Repair

trivetman

Hi all -  I’ve got a small leak coming from this joint in the dry return to the steam boiler.  I imagine an epoxy repair will do the trick but thought Id check on the wall for the expert advice I’ve always been given here.  

Ive got some JB Waterweld on hand which might do the trick but maybe something thats a little less of a stiff putty would do a better job getting into the joint?  Any specific suggestions or advice on technique?


thanks

mattmia2

I'm betting it has corroded through where it is thinner in the valley of a thread rather than in the joint itself. You can clean it up and shove some epoxy in there, getting clean metal to bond to is the most important part, but it is just a temporary repair once it has corroded inside to the point where it is leaking.

A piece of rubber and a hose clamp also works.

Note that the experts would replace it.

trivetman

thanks.  Dealing with threading iron is beyond the diy tools I’ve got.  If an epoxy repair saves me a year or two before calling my expert its worth it.  If its doomed to fail within a few months Im listening 

EBEBRATT-Ed

That is a funny looking coupling. Look at the running thread on the lower pipe.

That pipe and fittings are very old pre 1920, maybe pre 1900.

Look at that malleable 45, it looks like CI but you can't break them

EBEBRATT-Ed

@trivetman

Try the JB weld it will probably make it to the summer. If it's a wet return you could replace it with copper

trivetman

Thanks EB. House is a 1912 build so you're spot on. A lot of the piping is probably still original.
I'll try the JB Weld. If it doesn't work I've got a good steam guy who will come and fix it proper.

ratio

I used some Blue Monster compression seal tape (https://cleanfit.com/blue-monster-compression-seal-tape.shtml) to fix a pinhole on a live 2" steam main before. Lasted a year & a half.

JUGHNE

I have used that tape also. Worked well even with 40+PSI hot water pressure.
Expensive but was worth it for that instance.

Ed.....could that coupling be a right-left in place of a union?

EBEBRATT-Ed

@JUGHNE

I thought of that but with a left...right you start both threads at the same time and both the left and right joints tighten up.

. I don't know how a running thread could seal?

But If you look closely you can see a diameter change. Wonder if it is a nut and a gasket?


never seen a running thread except on electrical conduit or on an equipment support

trivetman

what is this running thread?

Hap_Hazzard

trivetman said:

Dealing with threading iron is beyond the diy tools I’ve got.  If an epoxy repair saves me a year or two before calling my expert its worth it.  If its doomed to fail within a few months Im listening 

It isn't iron. It's mild steel—very easy to cut. You can get a ½"–1" pipe threader for less than $50. The epoxy might get you through heating season, but I wouldn't want to go into the next one without fixing it.

ratio

The bottom threads of the coupling are too long for a tapered pipe thread, they're something else. It looks to me like some kind of repair coupling, one that can be slid in to the middle of a pipe run where the end can't be moved apart to put a union in, but I think you'll need the experience of an Old Guy to find out exactly what it is.

IIWM, I'd post that pic on The Wall with a title like "can you identify this old pipe fitting" or something to that effect; but I'm not sure that would help with your leak.

mattmia2

It almost looks like that is a coupler and a really thick, smooth jam nut tightened up against it. can you do some scraping/poking at that ridge in the fitting and see if it is all one piece?

trivetman

Wow -  everyone sure is interested in that coupling!!  I’ll probably scrape the joint and epoxy this weekend and ill take some pics from other angles for you

Tom_133

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

That is a funny looking coupling. Look at the running thread on the lower pipe.

That pipe and fittings are very old pre 1920, maybe pre 1900.

Look at that malleable 45, it looks like CI but you can't break them

Here in Vermont many of my customers would be talking warranty on those fittings! at least labor!
We are a squeaky tight crew up in these parts!

Pumpguy

Just keep in mind that if you patch it, WHEN, not if but WHEN it fails again, it will fail when you're heating and it will be a big emergency to deal with it.

Do a proper repair during the summer when it can be done right without any pressure to do it ASAP because its cold outside.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Dosen't really matter when summer comes just cut it out and fix it. Just curious about the coupling, never seen one like that

trivetman

Heres another pic of the coupling.  It is definitely two pieces split at that seam.  The leak is coming from a pinhole on the surface, not from the joint like I thought. im going to smear some epoxy on it as a temp fix and call my piping guy on monday.  Whole surface is showing pits so the piece wont last

Larry Weingarten

Hi, I'll throw out a guess about the coupling and nipple. I'm imagining that part of the coupling rotates at the joint and that the straight thread of the pipe nipple allows the nipple to be tightened down against a washer inside of the coupling, making it watertight. Just a guess. Here's something similar.

We'll see

Yours, Larry

JUGHNE

We are awaiting the autospy report.

Is there any money being wagered on what this is?

Larry Weingarten

Hi @JUGHNE , If the coin of this realm is education, than there's a lot being wagered!

Yours, Larry

trivetman

Well itll probably be at least a week or two before it comes out but ill keep you all posted 

pecmsg

The real question is if there's one leak how many more are waiting to show up? You can epoxy, super glue, bubble gum all you want but if that joint is compromised time to find out how many more are?

trivetman

Well…..cant fix them before I know they’re there!

EBEBRATT-Ed

I would wait for warmer weather before I opened a can of worms or be prepared for worst case