Heating boiler leak repair Q&A.

This article series explains how to detect, diagnose, find, & evaluate leaks in or on hydronic heating boilers with focus on residential heating boilers, including leaks leading to loss of heat, heating boiler noises, leaks, odors, or smoke, and high heating costs.

How to Evaluate Heating Boiler Leaks & Corrosion

These questions and answers about the sources of leaks at heating boilers (hydronic heating systems) were posted originally at BOILER LEAKS CORROSION STAINS - home. Be sure to see the list of boiler leak points given there.

On 2017-12-17 by (mod) - water drips coming from the system - cracked pipe?

Don,

I do not understand your situation, nor what is a "fire stove", nor what system was moved nor why one would move a heating boiler to a bedroom. Much about the question leaves me in the dark.

But it's not likely that moving heating equipment would cause a crack in a heating water pipe, at least if the "crack" is as I expect you mean, a horizontal split in a pipe. Such failures typically occur from corrosion and pressure.

Perhaps you can use the picture frame icon next to the Comment button to show us some photos of the situation and we can comment more-usefully.

On 2017-12-17 by Don O Sullivan

Hi there,we have a leak from a cracked pipe in our boiler system.When having a fire stove fitted we had our system moved to a better location(spare bedroom directly above fireplace)in order to have a hot press and better operational system.

That was a year ago but recently i've noticed water drips coming from the system and our plumber explained that a cracked pipe has caused it.At present he is checking with the supplier/manufacturers to see if it can be replaced ir does it need to be replaced.

How can we be sure that it wasn't caused by him when he installed it initially and should we get a second opinion(just in case hes covering himself)

On 2017-12-13 by (mod) - some hot water heating system leaks are hard to find: first steps

Anon: indeed some leaks in hot water heating systems can be difficult to find.

First don't exclude the possibility that the leak is somewhere else in the piping system.

Second if you don't see an obvious leak by inspecting the boiler exterior or by looking into the combustion chamber to see the bottom of the heat exchanger then a service tech may completely remove the jackets from the boiler to permitted more thorough inspection.

On 2017-12-13 by Anonymous

How do you find a leak in a boiler, when you've already cleaned it out and serched it with a good flashlight, and we know it's definitely in the boiler

Question: will replacing a face plate fix boiler leaks?

(June 4, 2014) Anonymous said:
over time the rust area is expanding. will replacing the face plate solve the problem?

Reply:

If the rust is superficial, replacing the face plate and face plate gasket as well as careful cleaning and sealing during reassembly should work.

If by "expanding" you mean swelling flaking exfoliating rust as we illustrate in this article series, then check the boiler face plate mounting area (on the boiler) with care since failure to seal at that surface means leaks will continue.

Question: presence of white efflorescence - calcium - salts - scale as a leak diagnostic

(Aug 26, 2014) greg mcleod said:
Lots of calcium around copper joints . Had a couple leaks over last time6 years plus i drained a few times. Zone valve seem sticky and recently replaced. Seems like air valve plugged. What do you think is wrong

Reply:

Greg what you describe sounds like high mineral content in water clogging up components. It's a bit odd to find that in a hot water heating system as the same physical water stays in the system indefinitely - so I might also look for a leak or other cause of frequent makeup water being added.

Question: high gauge pressure, TPR valve leaked, mopping up constantly - how do I get the pressure back down?

(Feb 12, 2015) Anonymous said:
i have a boiler system that heats a 1 and 1/2 floor house. the pressure on the gauge is way above the highest reading.

Two nights ago the pop off valve released some of the pressure I am assuming because it created a racket in the basement and you could hear the releasing of steam.

Mind you I know it leaks. I have a tube running to a drain from the pipe that is suppose to be used for the purpose of the releasing of water pressure (I assume). I use to empty a mop bucket 3 times a day, is how bad this leak is. I have had a tech come to check way it was leaking....

all he did was tighten the hose clamp I have on the pipe and hose I have rigged up, so I don't have to empty a bucket. It is now winter and gets below freezing temps and the boiler does not keep up with heating the house. How do I get the pressure to get back into a normal range (20psi)?

I am worried that it is going to blow my boiler completely and I will not have any heat.

Reply:

Anon

You are describing an unsafe heating system; I'd shut it off and call for emergency service. It it were just a modest leak I'd not be so worried but when you describe high enough pressure that the TP valve is spilling then the system is at overpressure and unsafe. An exploding boiler is a catastrophe in all senses.

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Continue reading at BOILER LEAKS CORROSION STAINS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Boiler Leak Articles

• BOILER LEAKS CORROSION STAINS
  • BOILER LEAKS, HOW TO LOCATE
  • CHEMICAL TREATMENTS, BOILER
  • HEATING BOILER LEAKS, INTERNAL

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to HEATING BOILERS

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