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Water leak problems installing cast iron baseboard

TLDMA
TLDMA Member Posts: 4
edited February 4 in Radiant Heating
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We installed a bunch of Burnham cast iron baseboard by request of the customer during a complete remodel. We filled the system last week & came back to a bunch of water leaks at the push nipples. One leak was in the casting itself. We installed as the instructions specified. Did we miss something, is there something not included in the instructions, is there some secret trick, is this bad quality control?

Comments

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,659

    Did you use the draw tool to assemble them?

    Did you lubricate the nipples? We use RTV and have never had a leak.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    mattmia2TLDMA
  • yellowdog
    yellowdog Member Posts: 242

    The last cast radiator I installed had a leak in the middle of the casting. Had to replace it.

  • TLDMA
    TLDMA Member Posts: 4
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1840047#Comment_1840047

    We used the tool rented from the supplier. It seemed awfully loose & worn out & slipped at the end causing whoever used it to punch the fins on the back of the cast baseboards with all their weight. We got a different one when we re-did them & felt a more definite closure this time. But we couldn’t get a consistent answer on if the push nips should be dry or have something added. About half say don’t add anything, others say use dope, some say graphite, maybe it depends on brand?

  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,878
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1840142#Comment_1840142

    Why not just follow what Burnham says? They have clearly written instructions for how to do this.

    image.png
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    mattmia2TLDMA
  • TLDMA
    TLDMA Member Posts: 4
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1840146#Comment_1840146

    So this version says to use nipple lubricant (whatever that is) while the instructions we were given at the time did not say that. What is nip lube & am I going to get cancelled for saying that term?

    delcrossv
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,452
    edited February 4
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1840158#Comment_1840158

    I have no clue, but if it was me I'd use either pipe dope, or cutting oil, or tapping oil, way lube etc. They just want some lubrication when going together. If you have cutting oil or tap oil (tap magic, rapid tap etc) that would probably be best.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    TLDMA
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 11,610

    I'd use RTV like @Ironman suggested if it is leaking.

    delcrossvhot_rodTLDMA
  • TLDMA
    TLDMA Member Posts: 4

    looks like we have more bad castings.

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  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,872
    edited February 4

    😲😲😲

    I'd call Burnham. That's a serious QC issue.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    TLDMA
  • tim smith
    tim smith Member Posts: 2,836

    Burnham/US Boiler Rep always had nipple lube for us to purchase, still have cans around probably. We always cleaned the ports and nipples and wiped out, then lubed lightly the port & nipples. Assembled and pressed, always paid close attention to even pull together. We did have a few doa sections from factory over the years but hundreds of feet of baseray usually went ok. Dry press together not good. Also usually little rust in the ports from sitting around. Hope goes better for you.

    TLDMAIronman

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