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Leak in church hot water heating system with inaccessible piping.

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Comments

  • SteamingatMohawk
    SteamingatMohawk Member Posts: 1,025

    While the trustees are noodling how to modify the system, I have been trying to develop a forward looking plan for early identification of the next leak (if/when it happens). It would be nice if the ultimate answer is "Never", but based on failure in the original radiant heat in the floor several years ago and the current leak, I am skeptical.

    The system is typical in that it has an expansion tank and a makeup water feed line, but no pressure gauge or water meter. In a system with no underground piping, this is fine.

    Apparently, the makeup feed line has been kept in service and once the leak occurred, with no instrumentation, its existence didn't become known until a $500 water bill showed up.

    It seems to me the makeup water supply should usually be isolated and only in use when makeup water is needed. Which should be almost never.

    I had been thinking of just a water meter, but that would involve periodic inspection and data recording for an unknown length of time.

    Additionally, since there is a history of leakage, I am beginning to believe a pressure gauge should be installed on the system to monitor the actual pressure in the system. That would provide a means to see what is going on with the amount of water in the system.

  • DCContrarian
    DCContrarian Member Posts: 681

    A properly operating system should never need makeup water in normal operation.

    Turn off the makeup water valve. Install a low water cutoff so the boiler will shut off if the water level gets too low.

  • Sylvain
    Sylvain Member Posts: 154

    " I am beginning to believe a pressure gauge should be installed on the system to monitor the actual pressure in the system. "

    A gauge which would give an alarm when the pressure drops;

  • SteamingatMohawk
    SteamingatMohawk Member Posts: 1,025

    The boiler has a low water cutoff.

    The church has a fire alarm system. Perhaps another channel could be added for boiler water pressure.

  • DCContrarian
    DCContrarian Member Posts: 681

    Just put an alarm on the low water cutoff.

  • SteamingatMohawk
    SteamingatMohawk Member Posts: 1,025

    Great suggestion. It is worth looking into for the new boilers that are being considered. The trustees are planning on having two smaller boilers replace the single one. I'm not sure if that will be the final answer, it's too soon to tell.

    I still like the idea of being able to observe the pressure in the system.

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