Repairing Boiler Pin Hole

[oldcpecdr]

Hey all

Looking for advice on repairing a 12 year old Burnham Hot Water Furnace...was replaced under warranty 11 years ago and now is leaking again..not confidence inspiring for this particular brand...

So trying to get one more year out of this....stop leak for boilers ? JB weld ?

My own thoughts were to drill out the pinhole and thread it for a 1/8 inch pipe plug....is that a disaster waiting to happen or a viable temporary repair?

Thanks for any ideas..... Mike B

 

[tcianci]

Steel boiler? If it is, you may be looking at the tip of the iceberg as far as corrosion goes. Steel boilers don't last anywhere near as long as cast iron ones. If it is a cast boiler, your solution has merit. On steel you're looking at the chance that the whole area is compromised and trying to tap it may make things worse. Do a web search and see what products are available along the lines of patching compounds or stop leaks.

 

[oldcpecdr]

Cast Iron, three sections, middle one small pinhole....completely accessible with outer panel removed, and only weeping a small amount when boiler is in heating cycle at max pressure, hot water boiler NOT steam ...so very low pressure...

Thanks , Mike B

 

[s_ontario]

black pepper will fix small holes in a auto rad shrug

 

[tcianci]

Well thats good. Your pin hole is probably the result of the sand casting process. You could probably even drain the boiler, hit the leaking section with an angle grinder and braze a spot over the leak.

 

[Elroy]

braze

That's the magic word if you're dealing with cast iron

 

[redsky49]

I am a little troubled by such a failure as this, especially as the OP has replaced this boiler once previously. Cast iron boilers usually last generations when properly installed and operated.

While tcianci may be correct that it is a casting flaw, the time table, in my mind, doesn't quite jibe with this diagnosis.

Boiler failures due to corrosion and/or pitting are primarily, in my experience, due to water quality and/or the presence of oxygen in the water.

There are too many variables to list, but some of the things I would look at are the feedwater system, type of expansion control, method of air venting, etc. This might be the right time to bring in an experienced set of eyes to check the entire system.

The intent in a happy boiler system is to deaerate the system fluid to extremely low oxygen levels - such as 0.010 ppm or less! At the same time, certain chemicals can also cause system damage which makes the use of a water softener for fill and makeup water a real necessity. In lieu of a water softener, corrosion inhibitors can be added to the system. If possible, a water sample to determine the ph would helpful, as well as the amount of dissolved solids.

While I never fail to be amazed at the uses for JB Weld, I would carefully examine the leaking section for structural integrity throughout the section. Only after careful examination would I attempt to repair the section. Be aware that this is a pressure vessel and such repairs could be potentially dangerous. Any repair procedures should be approved (in writing) by the manufacturer. Myself, I would replace the section entirely.

For the bullet points, to maximize the life and performance of your boiler:

Eliminate oxygen from the system
Maintain proper water chemistry
Provide proper off-season boiler decommissioning

As always, offered only as opinion