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What say you ? She’s steaming

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sldamiano
sldamiano Member Posts: 41
in Strictly Steam

Started her up and saw this after about 20 min run. Steam coming from top of boiler.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ekFu-q3ySAtj8Kh4IyF9klIpshnSHux/view?usp=drivesdk

Comments

  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,598

    In all likelihood, boiler needs to be replaced. Hard to tell from the video. Are you sure it's coming from the boiler and not from the glass or something like that?

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,871

    flood it and see where the water comes out

    PC7060sldamianoIntplm.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,212

    Could be a flange gasket where the pipe covering blows up in size or a union but most likely the boiler. Flood it when it is cold as others have mentioned.

    sldamiano
  • sldamiano
    sldamiano Member Posts: 41

    I took the top off and found where the steam was coming from.

    Is it safe to run like this ?

    I’m assuming I need a new boiler asap.

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rNJ9BRcS18kedPF0c2ZJ1b4AAqPjf6uE/view?usp=drivesdk
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,871
    edited October 2025

    It isn't an emergency but I would try to do it as soon as you can reasonable schedule it. You could probably get through the season on that if you absolutely had to but it isn't the recommended course of action.

    Make sure the LWCO and water feeders work.

    sldamianoethicalpaul
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,833

    It's safe enough as long as you keep water in it (water is always escaping as steam from it while you run it, as you have seen).

    You might be able to smear some jb weld in/on that hole to buy a little more time. Run it at a very low pressure (it likely can't build much pressure anyway)

    Does it heat your building currently?

    You are losing a lot of heat energy up the flue but it can carry you for awhile maybe. Yes you need a new boiler.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    sldamiano
  • sldamiano
    sldamiano Member Posts: 41

    Thank you

  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,598

    The steam is not good for the chimney.

  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,598

    At this early stage of the heating season, I would recommend replacing ASAP

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,833
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1869780#Comment_1869780

    Well it won't be steam for long 😂

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • sldamiano
    sldamiano Member Posts: 41

    So JB Weld is safe to use. It does heat everything up nicely. It’s a grossly oversized boiler. Going to reach out to NE Steam Works to replace.

  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,598

    The moisture is really the issue

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,871

    @New England SteamWorks is excellent.

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1869780#Comment_1869780

    I don't think that is a part of the hx that connects to the firebox and flue collector, i think it is just leaking out in to the basement.

    JB weld or jb weld putty will be fine there because it won't get above steam temps because that part doesn't see combustion products. I wonder if you can mix putty and the paste to form something that won't run but is softer than the putty.

    sldamianoSTEAM DOCTOR
  • patrykrebisz
    patrykrebisz Member Posts: 117

    JB Weld Marine and you should be Ok.

    Don't poke around the rust too much as the are around might be holding up by a prayer.

    »»» See my steam heat YouTube videos:
    https://www.youtube.com/@HeatingBlog

    sldamiano
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 3,030

    Its time to replace that boiler. To buy yourself some time, use this.

    Jb weld? Could work. This stuff will work. Read and follow the directions. This stuff was invented for this reason.

    th.jpg
    ethicalpaulGrallertNew England SteamWorks
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,833
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1869790#Comment_1869790

    Sure but we're not talking long term here. And there's tons of moisture in combustion gas, no?

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • Precaud
    Precaud Member Posts: 389

    I'm starting season 5 on an old boiler with a leak similar to (though not as bad as) yours. Patched it with JB Weld and a piece of steel formed to cover the hole. Works great and looks the same today as it did 4 years ago. JB Weld handles 200º-ish just fine. Give the epoxy a good substrate to bond to; diligently clean off ALL the rust in and around the hole. Use a vac to suck it up while you work. You don't need the epoxy to fill the hole; encircle the hole with it, embed the steel piece in it, and cover the edges to hold the steel in place. Should get you through the season no problem.

    FWIW, here's a pic of my patch.

    https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,fit=scale-down,height=2000,width=2000/5021738/uploads/editor/z5/8770yibb6af3.jpg

    1950 Bryant boiler in a 1-pipe steam system at 7,000 ft in northern NM, where basements are rare.

    mattmia2Intplm.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,871
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1869865#Comment_1869865

    they've got an actual hole though a small one, i don't know that it would be filled in by that. especially since it is above the water line.

    ethicalpaulPrecaud
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,598
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1869886#Comment_1869886

    As pointed out above, I misspoke, as this leak is not in the combustion area. So chimney is not of concern in this particular scenario. But steam will absolutely eat away at the inside of chimneys. Of course there is moisture in combustion gases, but the steam will generate considerably more moisture. And will presumably cool down the chimney.

    ethicalpaul

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