Need advice, home boiler steam pipe leak!

[Rot 911]

A couple of days ago one of my steam pipes started dripping water on the order of about a drip a second. This is a low pressure (3-5 psi) steam heating system. Is there any short term solution I can try to stop the leak short of taking the connector apart? It's cold here and I really am not anxious to shut down the boiler for however long it takes to fix the leak. I can easily keep adding water when needed. The leak appears to be in the lower part of the connector if that makes any difference. Oh and the pipe is about 4 inches in diameter. Thanks!

[1990C4S]

That is very hard to see. I assume the leak is on the right hand side?

You need to pull it apart to fix it. A piece of rubber with a clamp might help. I doubt it.

Put a bucket on the floor until you can do it right.

[John Rogers]

I would STRONGLY suggest calling a boiler repair person if you are not a pipe fitter! 5# of steam pressure equates to about 225 degrees which will burn you very badly. I would guess the line is in the basement from the looks of the picture and if it ruptures the whole area will fill with steam and if there are power panels and electrical stuff, then you have the very real possibility of fire. This is happening due to the pipe corroding/eroding through and will only get worse.

So you ask why would I say all that so strongly.....well I was a nuclear machinist in the Navy for over 20 years and did work with steam lines, both high and low pressure and have seen people burned more from low pressure steam than the 500# stuff. The lines will wear out and that is what has happened here I fear.

[plumb4u2]

Obviously I do these type of repairs all the time and would suggest that you have a plumber repair it for you....butttttttttt

Way back when I was an apprentice and hearing all the stories from "way back when we did...."

These steam boilers do this all the time and what I have seen done is people soak rags in salt water and keep wrapping the rags around the threaded joints......you will soon get a rust build up on the threads that will create a seal ( remember those pipes are steal NOT galvanized)

[Rot 911]

I appreciate all of the advice. I'm not trying to cheat any plumbers out of work as I have a company that comes in and does excellent work on this boiler and I pay them well. I have every intention of getting this done properly, but would like to delay things until later in the spring. I'm sure they will profit greatly from this as I will propose tearing out all of the old steam lines at the boiler and replacing with new. I'm not one for piecemeal repairs.

I understand very well the potential hazards of low pressure steam pipes and have worked around them in the past. I just want to keep the heat on if I can. I also plan on calling in the plumber and get his opinion. But I like to be as educated as I can be prior to his arrival.

Thanks again!

[A930Rocket]

If your talking about getting by for the weekend or such, Lowes and HD carry a two part epoxy in the plumbing depertment that works even under water.

Otherwise, do as john rodgers says.

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

I appreciate all of the advice. I'm not trying to cheat any plumbers out of work as I have a company that comes in and does excellent work on this boiler and I pay them well. I have every intention of getting this done properly, but would like to delay things until later in the spring. I'm sure they will profit greatly from this as I will propose tearing out all of the old steam lines at the boiler and replacing with new. I'm not one for piecemeal repairs.

I understand very well the potential hazards of low pressure steam pipes and have worked around them in the past. I just want to keep the heat on if I can. I also plan on calling in the plumber and get his opinion. But I like to be as educated as I can be prior to his arrival.

Thanks again!

You would not have to replace all the piping of the boiler, it is only the "Harford Loop" that would need replacement, really not that hard of a job

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by plumb4u2

You would not have to replace all the piping of the boiler, it is only the "Harford Loop" that would need replacement, really not that hard of a job

Justin, thanks for educating me on what that loop of pipes is called! That's what I meant when I said "replace at the boiler."

[Rot 911]

Well I brought in the guys that originally installed the boiler and got it done right! Took them about half a day.