Hole Repair in Antique Radiator

nyc_sport, That radiator is beautiful. Definitely worth trying to salvage. Where exactly is the pinhole and how many are there? I’ll try to help you but I have to agree with Bob Marvin, the pinholes will probably keep appearing. You can contact me at heat@moltenmechanical.com I have some more questions. brucef, I’m still not understanding what you would tap the radiator for? What are you screwing into it?

steam_man

in Boiler Repair 11 years and 5 months ago

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nyc_sport | 11 years and 5 months ago

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I have two 100+-year old hot water radiators that were intended to be a significant focal point of a redecoration. Turns out that there are a few small holes (about the size of a pen tip) in the radiators. The plumber thinks that they are not fixable. Wondering if anyone has a suggestion for an expert who might think otherwise. Any thoughts welcome. Thanks.

brucef | 11 years and 5 months ago

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I think it unlikely you will get a plumber to be interested in repair, but depending on where the leaks are, it should be fixable. Hydronic systems are not generally under high pressure. Normally we test to 80 lbs air pressure before filling a zone, but normally the water is less than 20lbs. Going from past experience with engine blocks, the proper repair technique is drilling and tapping. This involves drilling with consecutively larger drill bits until you have a smooth let’s say 1/4″ hole. Then using cutting oil, utilize a cutting tap with the same thread pitch (usually NPT tapered pipe thread) as the plug that will be inserted. Teflon the threads, insert plug, and pressure test. You should be good to go. this process won’t work if the leak is in a crevice, or edge of a narrow ridge. Good luck.

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Ask a welder to look at it.

janeinteriorsnyc | 11 years and 5 months ago

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There’s a product called J-B Weld that works on tiny holes in radiators. www,janeinteriorsnyc.com

nyc_sport | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Thanks all. I will look into these suggestions.

thetinkerswagon | 11 years and 5 months ago

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the truth is, those holes may be pins now, but on the other side of the iron, they are craters waiting to get bigger. As bruce f says, drill and tap it – but I am not sure of: 1\. how big diameter the crater is on the other side and 2\. if the iron wall of the radiator is really thick enough to produce a good thread. If you look at where threads are placed in radiators, they are on spots made a little thicker than the rest of the radiator. Bruce does mention getting a smooth hole; it is best to run a ream through a hole to be tapped. Jb weld will not hold the steam under pressure for too long. to properly repair this, it would be best to put something on the inside so the pressure pushes against it forcing it to the surface it is sealing. welding might be an option for the right guy with the right experience. this is not mild steel, so it will take a pro. and again, there is a crevice or crater on the other side, so the hole should be drilled first and then plug welded. Steve

steam_man | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Steve the Tinker wins the prize. Drilling and tapping is not an option here for the reasons mentioned. The cast iron on is rotted throughout the piece, when you start to drill, the scale will begin to flake off around the place where you are drilling creating a bigger problem. Honestly, I don’t know why you would tap anything. There is nothing to be threaded into the tapped hole. I’m really scratching my head on the tapping thing. The way to repair cast iron is either by welding (very difficult although not impossible). As the cast iron cools, it will crack unless properly done. This involves heating and peening. Not easy even for a good welder to guarantee this will work on an old radiator. The method I would use would be brazing. Even then, on an old peice, I would not offer a warranty. Unless this is a REALLY special radiator, it’s better to send it off to the scrap yard. Pipefitting and welding is what we do.

nyc_sport | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Thanks. Steam_man, if you want a shot at repairing, please contact me. These are pretty special to us at least, Master_plumber may recall the radiators, since he is our usual plumber and installed the heat system 8 or 9 years ago prior to our ongoing renovation. I have trouble with pictures here, but I tried to attach some. I can be reached at nyc_sport at gmail dot com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97134361@N02/11922289894/

nyc_sport | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Don’t think the first picture worked. Maybe this one will. Or click here http://www.flickr.com/photos/97134361@N02/11922289894/#

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97134361@N02/11922289894/#

BobMarvin | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Really beautiful; I hope you can keep them (although I suspect that new pinholes will continue to open up).

BobMarvin | 11 years and 5 months ago

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If those unusual radiators can’t be repaired, could you mount them as a sort of screen on front of plain new radiators?

brucef | 11 years and 5 months ago

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    string(6) "brucef"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "bruce@jerseydata.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/brucef/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "brucef"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(4724)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Those are some crazy radiators. My suggestion of tapping was more for the end of a conventional where it is beefier.