Need a new plumber in Andover, MA

TheDavidDDuncan

I need a new plumber. This is how he fixed one of our steam pipes in the basement that was leaking. When I saw it, it didn’t look right and I asked him and he says no that’s perfectly fine. He put some type of metal clamp over the pipe. But it’s still leaking.

LRCCBJ

What he doesn't realize is that the rubber insert on such a clamp will likely disintegrate fairly quickly under 212F temperature. He probably would have been successful on a HW system. However, such repairs are never the final solution for the duration.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, I find ten contractors listed in MA under "Find a Contractor". Have a look and see if any are close to you. 😎

Yours, Larry

Steamhead

@TheDavidDDuncan , those are for temporary repairs. We use them during cold weather to avoid shutting down the system for what might be a complicated repair operation during cold weather. That means we can make a permanent repair when the system is not needed to heat the building.

We just replaced an entire steam main that had some leaks, which we had stopped over the winter with these clamps. The problem on that one turned out to be a blockage in the return connection, which caused the main to fill with water.

STEAM DOCTOR

Hard for the plumber to claim that it's an adequate repair, if it's the leaking. I hope you didn't pay him. Those things work with temporary repairs. And I have seen them in place for 10 or 15 years still holding fine. Obviously no self-respecting professional whatever use anything like that long term. Would use it just like Steamhead said, as a temporary repair. The leak is probably right where the nipple meets the fitting. Very hard to get the clamp to seal that properly. I have actually seen fernco fittings on Steam lines. Homeowners have claimed that they've been there for years without leaking.

Mad Dog_2

That's a Skinner Clamp...Sometimes they'll hold for years but it IS a band aud only. Still leaking??? He's gotta come back and fix it right or give you a refund. Mad Dog

pecmsg

Thats temporary ONLY!

Being that close to the ell tells me the threads are weeping. Time to shut it down and make a permanent repair!

RTW

I had a small pinky size leak in steam pipe that was oozing from a prior repair of epoxy im guessing. It was in the mud leg along the base of the boiler that is a wet return. I followed advice from this forum and used Silicone Repair Tape that is applied by stretching it out first, wrap and repeat. IT worked so well I see no need to do anything further. ( it was not on a joint and in middle of pipe) I believe the integrity of the pipe is fine and must have had a puncture in the past from some object

Regards,

RTW

LameyerBobonov

These clamps are designed to stop leaks quickly, but they aren't always suitable for long-term repairs, especially on high-pressure steam systems. If it's still leaking, it means the fix isn't holding as intended. For plumbing professionals looking to expand their customer base, plumbing lead generation strategies can help connect with more clients in need of both short-term and long-term repairs.

EdTheHeaterMan

I have used those clamps in my own home as a temporary repair. But I sold that home to my Son, so now it's his problem.

Pumpguy

I had this exact same problem happen some years back to my only homeowner customer.

It just happened to start leaking while we were standing right near the pipe. First there was a whistling noise, and then water leakage.

Made a quick run to the hardware store for a clamp patch. Later I was asked how long the patch would hold? I explained I was not concerned about the patch, its the rest of the pipe I'm concerned about.

That summer they had their plumber replace the pipe.

mattmia2

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1802118#Comment_1802118

The part about the blocked return. Mains usually don't leak unless there is a problem causing a lot of liquid water to be in them. You need someone that knows steam well to figure out why the leak happened in the first place.