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Steam pipe epoxy

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trivetman
trivetman Member Posts: 254
edited January 13 in Strictly Steam

whats the best epoxy to fix a leak in the steam main to get me through the winter? I would much rather deal with repairs in the summertime when heats not needed.


idk what it looks like yet other than the insulation (fiberglass) is pretty wet.

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,992

    a hose clamp and a little piece of rubber or heater hose works well on a pinhole.

    kcopptrivetmanBobC
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,001
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1882003#Comment_1882003

    and much better than any epoxy…

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    trivetman
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,640

    You have access to Mega Press?

  • trivetman
    trivetman Member Posts: 254
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1882019#Comment_1882019

    nope. I’m a homeowner - not a pro

  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,640

    Try one of these gizmos….

    330-089 - Matco-Norca 330-089 - 2" x 9" Stainless Steel IPS Pipe Repair Patch Clamp

  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 4,202

    I used this to seal a leak in a 4" steam main, lasted for over a year before I got around to making the repair: https://cleanfit.com/blue-monster-compression-seal-tape.shtml . The Lowe's around here carries a package of 12" strips, which wouldn't help me but if you're working with ½ or ¾ it should be fine.

    I've also had some luck forcing a piece of plumbing epoxy into a hole in an abandoned section of main that blew out a small hunk due to water hammer. Dunno how long it's going to last, but the real fix will be to remove the section & relocate the flange. I sure wish it wasn't 8" threaded pipe.

  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,545
    edited January 13

    I have seen rubber Fernco fittings on steam mains. Some of them had been in place for years. Would obviously not suggest such a thing.

  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,551

    If you go with any kind of a clamp don't go crazy when tightening it. old rusted pipe is not very strong.

    Bob

    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
    STEAM DOCTOR
  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 900

    I also had success with a kind of tape, an epoxy soaked mesh tape in my case. The home made clamp concept should work too. Don't think you should have to pay for a $60 device…

    mattmia2
  • trivetman
    trivetman Member Posts: 254
    edited January 14

    well…maybe not as bad as I thought. Definitely want to replace the pipe in the summer, but nothing is visibly leaking with the insulation off and boiler running.. i think the fiberglass was acting as a wick drawing the water through the weak spots

    IMG_1380.jpeg IMG_1379.jpeg
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,906

    Maybe some JB Weld first, than any one of the above mentioned clamps.

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