Is my Burnham Independence kaput?

Blue_Note

The brand new gas boiler was installed ten years ago and worked like a charm. I rarely had to add water, maybe a couple of times during heating seasons. Last November we started to need to add water 2-3 times per week. Also just noticed white smoke from the chimney, not a whole lot, but visible. Had a local plumber come in to service the unit; he cleaned the burners, cleaned the pigtail, drilled a hole in the flue (?), stuck a probe in and said the numbers were good. I still need to add water, so I turned the heat up to 80, let her rip, checked all the radiators for leaks, shut it down and let her cool, removed all valves, checked by blowing into them (one was stuck shut, others were good), re-taped with Teflon tape, threaded back; shimmed the radiators toward the shut-off valves. Still need to add water a couple of times a week, the low water shut off works! Decided to find a local steam specialist. Today a technician from a reputable steam heat company came, opened the fill valve (while the burners were on!!!), laid down on the boiler room floor and told me the boiler was leaking. I didn't see the water come out of the unit, but still have to trust the reputable company. The tech counted all the radiators and left. Was told to wait for the quote.

Can post pictures of the current set-up.

mattmia2

that is the test for a leak above the water line, you flood the boiler and look for water leaking out. you could pull the jacket and look to see where it is leaking because there is a small possibility it is a fitting or something that is leaking but most likely the heat exchanger is leaking.

they should have noted the size and type of each radiator. it sounds like they are going in the right direction but i'd still be cautious.

Jamie Hall

Visible white smoke up the chimney is… not good. I think it may be toast…

Long Beach Ed

Are you in New England? Some areas have a high chloride content in their water that has accelerated problems with Independence boilers rusting out above the water line.

Blue_Note

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1839458#Comment_1839458

Yes, I am. Didn't know about the chloride…

Intplm.

If you can, and to satisfy your curiosity, you can remove the top part of the boiler jacket and look for a hole in the boiler. The white smoke tells me that the boiler is probably leaking from somewhere on the top of the sections.

The way you describe the issue, the person who laid down might be correct. If he also counted the radiators thats good but specifically he should have measured the radiators as well to help with sizing the boiler.

It can't hurt to get a second opinion.

BobC

I'm just south of Boston. My old Delco steam boiler lasted 40 years before failing the Burnham V7 barely made 15 years and was rusted out. A little research turned up the chlorides problem and that plus the lighter construction of modern boilers looked like a bad combination.

When I installed the Smith G8 in 2013 I started keeping an eye on the water PH and kept it around 10 using steam master tablets. The water has been slightly violet for the last 12 years and any water drained from the boiler is just about clear - no rust. That means no corrosion inside that boiler, Steam master is out of production so something like 8 Way is the way to go. Ignore the instructions add enough to get PH up around 10 (use PH strips) , maybe a few tablespoons.

If you keep the boiler water clean the new boiler should last a long time - be wary of boilers that do not use steel push nipples..

Bob

dabrakeman

Probably leak above water line but if it were mine I would run the flood test myself (boiler off) and see if I can see the leaking myself. Huge amounts of white smoke are telling but if you have a little I would also note whether you see any white smoke from any neighbors chimneys at the same time since atmospheric conditions can change the propensity for visible plumes significantly.

STEAM DOCTOR

If you are adding water only a few times a week, boiler is probably not leaking. Just for the record, you don't have to be a licensed Master anything, to be able to see water on the floor. You can fill the boiler yourself, and check for water yourself

EdTheHeaterMan

If your Steam Expert was from New England Steam Works you need to look no further.

If not … then this is the Info for a second opinion.

https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-england-steamworks/