Help - Major leak in black pipe feeding into boiler

HI All, This morning I noticed a stream of water leaking from the blackpipe feeding into my boiler. I’ve got a call into a plumber to evaluate and repair. they are coming today. Questions: 1\. Any idea (ballpark) what it costs to replace a section of Black pipe? 2\. What else should i be aware of when the repair guys show up. I’d like to be smart so I don’t get taken. 3\. This repair company evaluates and charges by the job, not hourly. 4\. I have the repair contract with Natl Grid for the boiler, but it doesn’t cover blackpipe. thoughts/ suggestions/ recommendations appreciated. J-

jab287

in Plumbers and Plumbing 11 years and 5 months ago

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biggles | 11 years and 4 months ago

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might have to add a union if that is all straight piped in and thread pieces…material is nothing probably has it all in the truck from other jobs…the labor is the kicthe pressure in the pipe if it is a feed to the boiler is the same as on your fucets shower….a local handy man around could also do it if you can connect.

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 5 months ago

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I’d be concerned if it were any less.

jab287 | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Plumber just assessed. Need to cut and replace the long piece of pipe – and depending on the bottom piece of pipe – may need to replace that as well. he quoted 2-3 hours. about $950-$1050\. Seems high, but I dont have free time to get more estimates. Does his estimate seem reasonable?

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Getting the water out of that pipe is going to be a mess if it’s a finished basement, then the repair, then refill. I’d give it 3 hours, max. Really it depends on how that connection to the bottom fitting goes. It the plumber can’t reattach to it, and the pipe along the floor is in bad condition, then it could turn into a bigger job. Return line piping eventually all needs to be changed, so don’t be surprised if that issue comes up, but it’s just as likely you won’t need that now as part of this repair. Cross your fingers…

jab287 | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Thank you! any thoughts on the amount of time it should take to repair?

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 5 months ago

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That’s your Hartford Loop. It’s one of the few places in a steam heating system where it’s ok to use copper pipe and fittings, so that may make the job a bit less costly than when having to field fabricate black steel pipe and fittings. The better job here is to replace that top elbow, the vertical rusted piece, and the fitting on the bottom that it screws into. Good luck. This is what any plumber worth his salt should consider a minor repair.

jab287 | 11 years and 5 months ago

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see attached.

jab287 | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Here are 3 pics. The elbow seems to be source ,

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 5 months ago

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I can’t comment on pricing, but if you post a wide picture of the leaking pipe, I may be able to give you some info about what it might take to fix it.