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.

Water drips coming from a pipe at our boiler - did the plumber cause it?

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 2017-12-17 by Don O Sullivan

by (mod) - not likely

Don,

I do not fully 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.

So IF a pipe was already badly rusted or corroded or damaged and then the system pipes were disturbed when you moved your heater, yes that could have precipitated a failure that you were about to have soon anyway.

But to me this guess seems ulikely. Nobody with any experience would be expected to try to move or relocate hot water or steam heating equipment that has piping in bad condition without first warning you that some new pipes were going to be needed.

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.

How do you find a leak in the boiler?

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 On 2017-12-13 by Anonymous

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.

Will replacing a face plate fix boiler leaks?

Over time the rust area is expanding at our boiler's face plate. Will replacing the face plate solve the problem? (June 4, 2014) Anonymous

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.

 

What's causing water under the gas burner and boiler flooding the boiler room?

The gas burner and the boiler have water beneath them. It looks like there is a small flood/pool in the burner and boiler room. What could be causing this? I noticed this two weeks ago. Help. (Oct 26, 2015) Rpy said:

Reply:

Check for relief valve spillage and then look for a cracked or leaky boiler itself

Watch out: if the pressure relief valve is spilling water at the boiler the system is unsafe and shoudl be shut down right away. Then call for repair.

 

Presence of white efflorescence - calcium - salts - scale as a leak diagnostic

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 (Aug 26, 2014) greg mcleod

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.

 

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

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. (Feb 12, 2015) Anonymous

Reply:

Anon

Watch out: 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.

Details about boiler temperature and pressure settings are

at BOILER PRESSURE & TEMPERATURE SETTINGS

and

at PRESSURE REDUCER / WATER FEED VALVE, BOILER

Details about the hazard are

at RELIEF VALVE LEAKS

and

at BLEVE EXPLOSIONS

 

Leaks at boiler: replace it and keep burner assembly?

My Becket oil burner in a 2-zone forced hot water heating system works great, but I see evidence of leakage around the end of the boiler tank.

Can I replace the boiler and use the existing Becket burner? (Nov 27, 2014) Alex M said:

Reply:

Alex,

Maybe and maybe not.

Certainly we have installed used but good-condition burner assemblies on other boilers in some circumtances.

Oil burners are matched to the boiler with respect to burner tube, diameter, nozzle size range, and a few other parameters

. It may be possible to modify the existing burner to meet the manufacturer's specs for the new boiler, but if you have to hire someone to do that job I'm not sure that there's much savings over accepting the burner already matched-to the new boiler. It's a fair question to ask.

Take your existing burner's model and measurements to the manufacturer of the boiler you want to buy to get their guidance.

...

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

• BLEVE EXPLOSIONS
• BOILER LEAKS CORROSION STAINS
  • BOILER LEAKS, HOW TO LOCATE
  • CHEMICAL TREATMENTS, BOILER
  • HEATING BOILER LEAKS, INTERNAL
• RELIEF VALVE LEAKS

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to HEATING BOILERS

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