Steam boiler corrosion problem

mike jones

our plumber would like to take the top facing off our old american stnadard boiler to seal a leak above the water line from the top with pro poxy 20. We wanted to make sure since we won't have our new boiler for another month, does anyone know if the top facing can be replaced back on top with the proper seal since it looks like he will be dismantaling and retaching an exhaust stack where it meets the top of the boiler.

Frank Lopes

Steam boiler corrosion problem

I live in the Northeastern US, and I have a steam boiler (Burnham, model PV86-ST) that is used to heat the house. It is 6 years old.

The boiler has a leak above the water level (so it loses most of the steam via the flue...) and I'm told that it was due to corrosion. Because of the leak, I need to constantly add water to the boiler.
It was explained to me that it was due to the presence of Oxygen in the water. The more water we added to the boiler, the faster the corrosion process took place. I have also been told that the presence of chlorides in the local water system makes the problem even worse.

1st: are these explanations plausible? Are there other explanations?

2nd: doing some research, I found several suppliers of "oxygen scavenger chemicals for steam boilers". Is this something that I need to look into? If yes, how does one purchase this? by the pound? Are these chemicals safe? How does one "inject" this stuff inside the boiler?

3rd: Instead of chemicals, are there filters that would "condition" the water and make it less "corrosive" if there is such a thing?

I'm lost and confused...

Sincerely, Frank Lopes

John@Reliable_14

Frank,...............

first thing is to replace boiler under warrenty. Do you have a auto-fill on system? if so remove it for new system (they can mask a problem). Any water or steam leaks at raditors vents, main vents, return piping? Adding water to a steam boiler isn't something that should or be needed more than maybe twice monthly.

Frank Lopes

Is there such a thing as a product that could be added to the water or a filter that could go inline that would treat the water?

Ken Field

The biggest problem with the water is oxygen and there is no filter for that. The oxygen is driven off fairly quickly when the water is vaporized. It may take a few days until a newly filled system is devoid enough of oxygen to become harmless unless the ph is way out of limit. I think you should consider the previous suggestion and after you get the warranty boiler installed, either use a water feeder with a timer/meter or don't auto feed at all. Then you will know exactly how much water is being added to the system.

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Mark Hunt

Frank


Unless your water source is from an acid plant, there is no reason for such an early boiler failure.

My guess is that there has been an excessive amount of fresh water added to the system and that means that there is a leak somewhere.

Treating the make-up water does nothing to solve the problem, it just masks it.

Solve the problem. The water quality is most likely NOT the issue.

Mark H

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Al Gregory

Thats a typical problem around here. Do you have any pictures?

Al Gregory

John, call me if you get a chance. Im wondering how your doing.