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steam boiler drain valve corroded and leaking

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bradslees
bradslees Member Posts: 34
in Strictly Steam
The drain valve on my steam boiler is covered in green corrosion and is leaking. When I bought the place (4 years ago) the valve was already capped because it must have been leaking, but it wasn't corroded. Today's the first heating day here in Boston and when I looked at it it was like it is in the picture. Is this thing going to fail and send the contents of the boiler all over my basement? Is this going to be hard to fix?
Thanks!

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  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 857
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    @bradslees :That looks like the typical Weil-Mclain OEM chineseium boiler drain valve.

    The good news for you is that it is that valve is not likely to suddenly fail on its own... that usually occurs when someone else has replaced that valve with something even cheaper and has used a steel nipple to extend it out from the boiler. That's when it gets fun.

    Don't ask.

    Don't touch that valve until you are ready to go all in. Wait for the boiler to cool. Have on hand a nice 3/4" ball valve type hose bibb, a wet vac and a few buckets to catch the water. And a good wrench.

    Do I see that you appear to have a hot water condensate heating loop off of your steam boiler?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,540
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    Most likely leaking from the valve stem under the valve handle. Best bet is to change the valve. Follow what @Gordo mentioned
  • bradslees
    bradslees Member Posts: 34
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    Gordo said:

    @bradslees :That looks like the typical Weil-Mclain OEM chineseium boiler drain valve.

    The good news for you is that it is that valve is not likely to suddenly fail on its own... that usually occurs when someone else has replaced that valve with something even cheaper and has used a steel nipple to extend it out from the boiler. That's when it gets fun.

    Don't ask.

    Don't touch that valve until you are ready to go all in. Wait for the boiler to cool. Have on hand a nice 3/4" ball valve type hose bibb, a wet vac and a few buckets to catch the water. And a good wrench.

    Do I see that you appear to have a hot water condensate heating loop off of your steam boiler?

    Thanks Gordo. I'm not touching that thing anyway. I'm a 'added a few vents to the system' kind of guy, not a 'replace a drain valve' kind of guy. I'll need to get a good plumber in to do it. They're not gonna like it, either -- the people I bought the house from partially finished the basement and wedged the boiler into the tiniest space you can imagine. Combine that with (yes, you're right) the hot water loop system that uses the same space, and it's impossible to get in there.

    pic of this whole mess is attached. See if you can even spot the valve in question...


    Generally speaking, though -- you think I should be calling someone today to get them out to fix this? Or is it a May/June problem?
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 857
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    Oh my... wow.
    That's a May/June problem, for sure.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
    New England SteamWorks
  • MilanD
    MilanD Member Posts: 1,160
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    Has anyone ever install a boiler on casters? This one would be a great candidate!
    New England SteamWorks
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,062
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    That is layered in there.
    Reminds me of my pick-up truck, pull the entire dash and steering wheel to change a $45 heat control. + 600 labor .
  • bradslees
    bradslees Member Posts: 34
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    Yeah, funny for you, not funny for me!
    :#
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,540
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    Have done a few of those. Dig your way in ,Dig your way out
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,062
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    I do see where it is. If not leaking badly I would wait for spring.
    Draining the boiler might not be possible thru that valve.
    There might be another drain available.
    The pump has a valve ahead of it, drop pump add hose adaptor to valve and drain away.
    If there was a floor drain there then not a problem.

    The worst case would be for the brass to snap off and require cutting the remaining out. I've been prepared for that happing on several occasions but have been lucky so far.

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