Steam pipe epoxy

trivetman

whats the best epoxy to fix a leak in the steam main to get me through the winter? I would much rather deal with repairs in the summertime when heats not needed.

idk what it looks like yet other than the insulation (fiberglass) is pretty wet.

mattmia2

a hose clamp and a little piece of rubber or heater hose works well on a pinhole.

Jamie Hall

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1882003#Comment_1882003

and much better than any epoxy…

kcopp

You have access to Mega Press?

trivetman

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1882019#Comment_1882019

nope. I’m a homeowner - not a pro

kcopp

Try one of these gizmos….

330-089 - Matco-Norca 330-089 - 2" x 9" Stainless Steel IPS Pipe Repair Patch Clamp

ratio

I used this to seal a leak in a 4" steam main, lasted for over a year before I got around to making the repair: https://cleanfit.com/blue-monster-compression-seal-tape.shtml . The Lowe's around here carries a package of 12" strips, which wouldn't help me but if you're working with ½ or ¾ it should be fine.

I've also had some luck forcing a piece of plumbing epoxy into a hole in an abandoned section of main that blew out a small hunk due to water hammer. Dunno how long it's going to last, but the real fix will be to remove the section & relocate the flange. I sure wish it wasn't 8" threaded pipe.

STEAM DOCTOR

I have seen rubber Fernco fittings on steam mains. Some of them had been in place for years. Would obviously not suggest such a thing.

BobC

If you go with any kind of a clamp don't go crazy when tightening it. old rusted pipe is not very strong.

Bob

dabrakeman

I also had success with a kind of tape, an epoxy soaked mesh tape in my case. The home made clamp concept should work too. Don't think you should have to pay for a $60 device…

trivetman

well…maybe not as bad as I thought. Definitely want to replace the pipe in the summer, but nothing is visibly leaking with the insulation off and boiler running.. i think the fiberglass was acting as a wick drawing the water through the weak spots

Intplm.

Maybe some JB Weld first, than any one of the above mentioned clamps.