Need Steam Help

brucewo1b

Yes Ken I am talking about the top of a boiler section, and it is right below where the flue gases leave the breech. I am familliar with piping in new steam boilers correctly, but was just curious if there was a problem with all that copper in the rest of the system other than heat loss condensing issue. And Garrett is correct in that JB Weld is a two part Epoxy, hoping that it might just work for a temp fix as I have no control over when this gets replaced but was trying to by some time until it can get scheduled in.

brucewo1b

Got to a job today

that is one pipe steam all original piping was done in Copper, header mains, takeoffs returns. Now this house was bought a year ago and have a relitively new Burnham 8 in it, at the time it was installed they put in a black header and near boiler piping, main takeoffs are original copper. My guess the house was built 1940-60 era by the style of house and neighborhood its in. Problem there is a hole in the crown and wondering if some JB Weld could be applied to buy some time? And what problems will the future bring with all that copper everywhere except the near boiler piping?? It was all insulated except the header.

Ken_40

Not familiar with what a

"crown" is.

Are you talking about the crown "sheet" - the part that becomes the base of the steam chest?

Also not familiar with the product "JB Weld" Is it some form of stop-leak?

If so on both counts, you cannot successfully use a sto-leak compound in a leak above the water line, even if you "flood" the boiler to cover the leak for a short period. An excercise in futility will ensue. It is early enouh in the heating season to replace the section or put in a new boiler.

The copper piping is not THAT big a deal, although no one who understands steam would use it, it is not the mortal sin many would have us think. Given the correct material (steel pipe with c.i. fittings) is a lot cheaper, 10-times as durable, but slightly more "tricky" to cut and thread, (once outside the standard length nipples commonly available), at least the near boiler piping was done properly. And, insulation is so key, yet so often "forgotten."

One more time. Where's the actual leak and what shape/diameter?

Garret

jb weld is a high temperature two-party epoxy with steel particles in the resin.... something of a legend, for fixing old engines and such.

Great stuff!
http://jbweld.net/products/jbweld.php