Opinions needed on needed boiler piping repair

jjinnj

Hello,

I am hoping to get information / opinions / reassurance from the experts here.

Problem:
There has been a continuous slow-drip leak from the underside of the return piping of my boiler for quite a few years now. Two years ago, I got a quote from an incredibly reputable plumbing contractor that included replacing the copper Hartford loop with the proper material. But because I had an emergency vet expense shortly after, I wasn't able to swing the repair at the time. Since my boiler is getting up in years (installed in December 1992 by a previous homeowner), I was hoping maybe a replacement could be in the cards in the not-too-distant future. But money has continued to be very tight, so nothing has been done yet. During the off-season this year, the return has gotten increasingly corroded around the whole thing.

This week, I had the gas and electric company come to check the system before the heating season gets going (I have a service contract with them). Once the boiler got going, a bit of steam began to waft from the return pipe, so I can't wait any longer to fix it.

Dilemma:
The tech said I can get the return piping replaced for the cost of 1–2 hours of labor; the current Hartford loop will be left. He did acknowledge that it shouldn't be copper, but said it was in good shape. (It was installed November 2006.) I booked it for next week, but am starting to stress about it.

If I were in a less strapped situation, I wouldn't hesitate to do the complete repair, but that's not my reality. I have a couple of other home issues yelling for attention, although heat is obviously incredibly important. Is there any risk or downside to leaving the Hartford loop at this time? I could always replace it later if it becomes a problem. The return pipe seems pretty straightforward to me (though I'm just a hopeful-thinking layperson!), but is there any risk it could be installed incorrectly? I'd hate to have the Harford loop act up in a few months and then learn the return is wrong and end up spending more over the long run.

Not sure if it's needed, but I am including a pic.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Jamie Hall

That all does look pretty crusty… but I understand your dilemma. Been there…

Quite right — the Hartford Loop shouldn't be copper. But it's doing no harm where it is, and it doesn't appear to be leaking. In your setting, there's no harm to locating and repairing the leak and getting on with life.

STEAM DOCTOR

Anything below the water line, is probably better off in copper. Won't build up all that lovely sludge, that steel builds up. If it was copper going to the boiler, with brass between the boiler and the copper, that probably would not be leaking

EBEBRATT-Ed

Leave the HL as it is and just replace what is leaking and you will be fine. If its not broke don't fix it.

Grallert

I'll echo what the others have said. But I would remove all of the black pipe and the fittings and replace with copper and a union on the vertical piping. Your worries in regards to that issue will be over.

jjinnj

Thanks for the reassurance, @Jamie Hall @STEAM DOCTOR @EBEBRATT-Ed @Grallert. I have a tendency to overthink and over-worry.

Ironman

It appears that there’s a leak where the black nipple connects to the boiler. That could be a problem when trying to get it loose from the block. No one can say for sure until they try.

jjinnj

@Ironman Are you referring to this?: