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Drain boiler to repair some leaking pipes & pressure testing

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guitbox
guitbox Member Posts: 42

I have a new simple one zone residential boiler. (newly installed). Can I just turn off the power switch at the boiler, hook up a hose to the drain and open it up into the floor drain? This is what I always did with the old 1950s Janitrol boiler, but I just want to make sure that's the correct procedure.

The plan is to replace a few nipples at radiator valves that have rusted out. and also add some packing material (teflon or graphite) to all the valve nuts to reduce the dripping that probably is the cause of the rusted nipples. Once I do this, I'm wondering is there is a professional way to pressure test the system to see if it will leak anywhere? It seems like there must be a better way to test for leaks without refilling the whole system and looking for leaks. Most of the pipes and valves are 1912 so obviously there may be other leaks than what I can see.

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,518

    Your procedure sound like the best way to proceed.

    Refilling is probably the only practical way to test.

    guitbox
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,592

    Refilling with water and pressure testing — to no more than twice the relief valve pressure — not only is the most practical way to test — it's the safest. Pressure testing with air is really remarkably dangerous.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    guitbox
  • guitbox
    guitbox Member Posts: 42

    Is there a way to disable the pressure relief valve to test it at a higher pressure? Is it safe to put this much pressure in the system? I'm more concerned about the new boiler being able to handle that than I am the old pipes and radiators from 1912 since I know those are sturdy, but I have no idea if the internals of a new boiler are this heavy duty.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,518

    Just run the pressure up to 25#. That will be high enough, if you mess with the relief valve you may need to replace it.

    guitboxIntplm.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,510

    if you go much above the operating pressure you may find leaks you otherwise would not have had

    guitbox
  • guitbox
    guitbox Member Posts: 42

    Sounds good, I'll bring it up to 25psi and look for leaks. I think the relief valve is set for 30psi. Thanks for the advice.