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What's causing this crust on the boiler?

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vaylie
vaylie Member Posts: 7
in THE MAIN WALL

I had this new boiler installed January 2025 by New England Steamworks, and unfortunately I'm now past their 1 year warranty period. But today I checked my boiler and there's a ton of crust near the water heating coil.

What caused this? And is this something I can fix DIY?

IMG20260317122552.jpg IMG20260317122605.jpg

Comments

  • HydronicMike
    HydronicMike Member Posts: 341
    edited 8:28PM

    Electrolysis and/or small leak. I wouldn't touch it until you are ready to repair it properly. And you definitely want to fix it before it rusts the bolt on the coil, although it looks like it has the kind of coil with pass thru bolts.
    You can try shutting off the main water supply and hitting it with a wire brush. But again if it starts to leak, you might be in for a bigger job.

  • vaylie
    vaylie Member Posts: 7

    Oof. Is this leak something to call the professionals in for?

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,037

    a very small leak

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 3,946

    That is caused by a leak, probably been leaking for a while, maybe since new. You probably should look at (inspect) your boiler more than once every 14 Months.

    DIY repair ? Maybe, it depends on your skills.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    ethicalpaul
  • vaylie
    vaylie Member Posts: 7

    I had it serviced last June, when the tech noticed it but said it was minor/not a big deal. I've swung by the boiler and had a water leak monitor nearby that never went off but honestly just never looked that closely at it until today when I went to adjust the aquastat.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 3,946

    " minor/not a big deal "

    Well… Now you need to pay for the repair that could have been repaired under warranty. I guess it depends on your opinion of a "big deal".

    Maybe the Tech that seemed to imply it should be ignored will repair it for free.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    ethicalpaulmattmia2
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 12,125

    So why are you adjusting the Aquastat?

    Anyway, that is just a small leak, likely because the pipe sealant was insufficient, the fitting was not tightened enough, or the fitting was soldered after it was installed on the coil. I would recommend getting a wire brush, cleaning it down to bare metal, and then spray painting it with some Rust-Oleum. Black would be my color choice. Then keep an eye on it.

    Another thing that no one looks at is the bolts that seal the coil to the gasket and the boiler. After about 500 hours of operation, they should be snugged up. You may find that even though they were tightened at the factory, after 14 months of use those bolts are now only hand-tight. Those gaskets shrink after they are heated for several months. that is why they are not as tight at they were when the boiler was new.

    In another 6 months check them again. That should be the last time you will need to tighten them. then the coil gasket will look new for years after that.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    SuperTech
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,445

    This should come under the boiler manufacturer's warranty. Call @New England SteamWorks , they should be able to handle it for you.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,037

    that’s not a manufactures defect.
    those fittings are field installed.

    mattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,626

    if the coil bolts weren't installed with antiseize they probably should be taken out one at a time and have some antiseize added in addition to the retorquing to take up the gasket creeping.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,626

    did you contact @New England SteamWorks ? they don't have to cover it under warranty buty they might if you aks nice.

  • vaylie
    vaylie Member Posts: 7

    I filed a rather sad trombone ticket with them and it looks like NE Steamworks is willing to work with me on this despite it being out of warranty! I see now why they have their reputation. They'd have been within their rights to ignore me and my lack of observational skills haha!

    pecmsgmattmia2
  • vaylie
    vaylie Member Posts: 7

    And thank you Ed for the helpful tips. I'll definitely keep a closer eye on these going forward.

    And maybe a dumb thing but I adjusted the aquastat down because the boiler was constantly firing itself up just for water heating even when heat isn't needed at the previous temp (like 160 I think), and with oil prices the way they are, I'm being a bit more conscientious about how often it's running. At the new temp around 120-130 I don't hear it constantly coming on anymore and the water temps still feel fine.

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 7,424

    If you'd opted for the indirect over the tankless, this travesty could've been avoided. Maybe.

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