boiler leak

I recently had my basement redone. Now when I turn on the boiler, the water feeder fills the boiler every 45 minutes or so. I filled the boiler to 75% and turned off the boiler, by morning the boiler was completely empty. There is no sign of water loss from the radiators. The return line is behind a new wall in the basement and there is no sign of water leakage of moisture. My plumber recommended putting bleach in the boiler and trying to locate the smell. Anyone has any other advice?

landlord

in Plumbing 9 years and 7 months ago

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donuttle

in Plumbing 9 years and 7 months ago

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See this topic published as a post here: http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/blog/2015/10/boiler-leaking-causes-repair-prevention/ Thanks, CM

donuttle

in Plumbing 9 years and 7 months ago

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See this topic published as a post here: http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/blog/2015/10/boiler-leaking-causes-repair-prevention/ Thanks, CM

landlord | 9 years and 7 months ago

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Genndays recommendation worked. infrared camera clearly showed the source of the leak as well as the hot water going under the tile (no water was visible with the naked eye).

steam_man | 9 years and 7 months ago

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No. Not sarcastic, sorry if it came off that way. There are pros and cons to both steel and copper returns. A pro for steel is that screws can’t go through them and cause the problem you are having. A con is that they can rot. Copper is easily damaged but it will never rot. Anyway… I would try Gennady’s method. It will work best. -S.

landlord | 9 years and 7 months ago

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gennady – good idea! Steam man – are you being sarcastic?

steam_man | 9 years and 7 months ago

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That’s why steel returns are great.

no-permits | 9 years and 7 months ago

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a moisture meter is another good way so you don’t have to break anything open. i have a ryobi. it was cheap and works well.

ellenlourie | 9 years and 7 months ago

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Run system and check floor with infrared camera.

landlord | 9 years and 7 months ago

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Thanks Eman. Ill try that

eman134 | 9 years and 7 months ago

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You must have a leak below the point to which you filled the boiler 75%… it has to be in the return behind the wall. Turn the boiler off, flood the boiler to several feet above it and cut a series of exploratory holes in the wall to locate the leak. Sounds like a screw pierced the return line