More about my back boiler?

Question

A chap answered my first question - he has no name so I can't quote it. However, he seemed to know about boilers like mine, eg that its opened by a damper and is only for hot water. Could you answer this and give me more info please? My boiler has two little leaks, one small and the other tiny. It doesn't always leak but its when the fire is NOT lighting that it leaks. Ive had a close look at it and the leaks are along a seam. Is there any chance that I could get these leaks soldered or something? Since its on a join could it not be fixed? Please say yes! But only if it's the truth. Otherwise tell me the naked truth. Will there be turkey this Christmas or sausages!

Answer 1

You say that the leaks are small and tiny. Unfortunately you will never know at what point the leaks will become larger and big. If this were to happen when you had a fire then the boiler might have little or no water in it. A little amount of water would quickly turn to steam and could cause the back boiler to explode. Yes really. You would then have hot coals etc spread all over and a much worse situation could occur. Boiler seams are welded and they are welded to a very high standard for this very reason. Patching them with fire clay or anything else is dangerous. It need replacing. My advice is to not use it.

Answer 2

The back boiler can not be repaired if its gone in two places then it must be thin. You have 50 galls of dirty water above the boiler well at least it will be dirty when it runs out all over your carpets, just remember it might leak fast during the night or whilst you are out. If you cant afford to have it replaced which isn't cheep nowadays around £250 I would think, then drain it down and remove the pipes from the cylinder ( usually the two pipes at the bottom of the cylinder both on one side ) and cap the cylinder connections 1" female brass caps. DO NOT CAP THE PIPE ENDS then drill a hole in the back boiler 3/8 " min. to prevent any chance of the boiler exploding. Refill the water system and use an immersion heater to heat your water. and use the fire just as a room heater.

Heating engineer

Answer 3

Icant really say if it could be repaired or not . Some back boilers were made of copper in which case it could be brazed. Solder probably would not last to long with the heat of a coal fire. But some were made of stainless steel which could be welded. Ive seen leaks on old central heating systems with steel pipework that only leak when cold . When the heat is on it expands the joint and seals the leak. Hope this is of some help. The names Derek just in case it doesn't show up again. Have a nice Christmas.

Answer 4

If it is an old type copper boiler you could solder it but you would have to drain the boiler first. The solder would not melt whilst the boiler was full of water but having drained the boiler you might just as well renew it because it will only start leaking some where else.

Answer 5

Try putting an add in your local paper for a second hand boiler noting the width ie 16" or 18" and this will cut costs.
This type of replacement isn't too expensive but a lot cheaper than the cost of water damage to carpets and furniture from a burst boiler !

Answer 6

Mending the leak properly would be a major job. The boiler is probably rusting through and eventually it will burst. You can't solder it - the solder would melt in the fire.

If the leak's not too bad, you can probably plug it for the time being with fire cement. (They sell it in Homebase).

That should see you through this winter, so you can have your turkey. But don't book your summer holidays yet. It will need proper attention in the spring.

Answer 7

Epoxie metal mender fixed mine, untill I could replace it, as all tanks will eventually need replacement.

Answer 8

If you click on his icon, his name is Derek. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to accept email or IMs