Boiler Liquid

https://www.amazon.com/Oatey-30115-Hercules-Boiler-1-Quart/dp/B000BQNYME

Let's say I suspected there might be a smallish crack in my boiler (not very old, but I'm adding water ever few days). What would folks think about adding something like this to said boiler?

And, how exactly would I go about getting in there?

Have you already checked all the radiators?

Not all of them yet, but I haven't seen any evidence of leaks there. I just changed one of the vents because if was making a lot of noise (spewing what sounded like a lot of steam).

I would suggest that you post your question here: http://forum.heatinghelp.com/. Great source of information.

Well, I'd definitely make a detailed check of all the radiators before adding anything but water to the boiler.

I would be verrrrry hesitant to add anything but water to a boiler.

I used it to clean out my boiler after it was replaced. Using it properly is difficult, because you have to drain it out, etc. If you have radiators spitting, I think there are other things to check before assuming a cracked boiler. The link to heating help was a good suggestion.

There was a small leak in my boiler and my plumber did put in something to try to seal it. His message: results are mixed at best, i..e it works for a while and then you still need a new boiler. I also had one of the return lines spring a link just above the sump pump pit, so had no idea that I was leaking water there. A neighbor had a leak in one of the steam pipes leading up to a first floor radiator, so leaks can happen all along the system (the worst of course is if it is in the wall).

I would get a few plumbers in, detail the issue, run the sealant by them, and get a few estimates for a new boiler (hmm: you said that it's not that old? Is it still under warranty?).

Getting a new boiler sucks, they are very expensive.

Regards,

RCH

and this is why I hate it when people (usually plumbers) say that steam heat is a "simple system" -- when so many things can go wrong and things can break in 20,000 places along the system, then it is anything but simple....

good luck --- i have had plenty of problems with my 'simple steam' so i feel your pain.

rch2330 said:

There was a small leak in my boiler and my plumber did put in something to try to seal it. His message: results are mixed at best, i..e it works for a while and then you still need a new boiler. I also had one of the return lines spring a link just above the sump pump pit, so had no idea that I was leaking water there. A neighbor had a leak in one of the steam pipes leading up to a first floor radiator, so leaks can happen all along the system (the worst of course is if it is in the wall).

I would get a few plumbers in, detail the issue, run the sealant by them, and get a few estimates for a new boiler (hmm: you said that it's not that old? Is it still under warranty?).

Getting a new boiler sucks, they are very expensive.

Regards,

RCH

seaweed said:

and this is why I hate it when people (usually plumbers) say that steam heat is a "simple system" -- when so many things can go wrong and things can break in 20,000 places along the system, then it is anything but simple....

good luck --- i have had plenty of problems with my 'simple steam' so i feel your pain.

rch2330 said:

There was a small leak in my boiler and my plumber did put in something to try to seal it. His message: results are mixed at best, i..e it works for a while and then you still need a new boiler. I also had one of the return lines spring a link just above the sump pump pit, so had no idea that I was leaking water there. A neighbor had a leak in one of the steam pipes leading up to a first floor radiator, so leaks can happen all along the system (the worst of course is if it is in the wall).

I would get a few plumbers in, detail the issue, run the sealant by them, and get a few estimates for a new boiler (hmm: you said that it's not that old? Is it still under warranty?).

Getting a new boiler sucks, they are very expensive.

Regards,

RCH

Sorry, steam heat is simple. No fancy electronics, no sensors, very low pressure, just straightforward heat. Any system can have leaks. Forced air systems can be happily blowing hot air into your attic for years without you knowing anything about it.

Leaking water causes a lot more problems than leaking air.

Right. But you fix the leak and you are fine. With leaking air you waste a bundle every month and don't realize it. I went through my system when I bought my house and changed a bunch of valves and vents, and I have no issues at all.

If your radiator vents are leaking steam your boiler is losing water which will be replaced with new oxygenated water which accelerates your boilers corrosion causing it to rot out with big nasty holes above the waterline. Steam then starts escaping up the chimney causing more water loss and more new makeup water to be added and the snowball effect ensues. Replacing rad vents and main vents as soon as they start leaking steam is vital.