Do I Have Chemicals in Boiler Water?
-
- Member
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2009 10:17 am
- Location: Luzerne Co PA
I'm removing an old hydrotherm propane boiler from my baseboard system. Is there any way tell if there has ever been chemical treatment of the water? Many pipes, especially near the boiler, are very corroded on the outside, if that's any indication. I havent drained any water out yet.
- WNY
- Member
- Posts: 6307
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
- Location: Cuba, NY
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
- Coal Size/Type: Rice
- Contact:
hard to say. If they used black iron pipe and you had any leaks or a damp basement, they can corrode with the moisture in the air.
-
- Member
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2009 10:17 am
- Location: Luzerne Co PA
When I do drain it, is there any way to test the water?
- I'm On Fire
- Member
- Posts: 3918
- Joined: Thu. Jun. 10, 2010 9:34 am
- Location: Vernon, New Jersey
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machines DS-1600 Hot Air Circulator
Take a sample to your local plumbing supply house, they usually take water samples and send them out to be tested. Some also do the testing in house. Or, you can call a water softener company and they may be able to also test it for you.
-
- Member
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 18, 2009 10:17 am
- Location: Luzerne Co PA
Is there anything in particular they should be looking for?
- steamup
- Member
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Fri. Oct. 03, 2008 12:13 pm
- Location: Napoli, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman-Anderson AA-130, Keystoker K-6
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: HS Tarm 502 Wood/Coal/Oil
- Coal Size/Type: pea, buck, rice
Corrosion on the outside is no indication of what is on the inside unless they are leaking. Most outside corrosion is due to dampness in the air. A quick change from cool weather to hotter, humid weather can cause them to sweat.Wallknight wrote:I'm removing an old hydrotherm propane boiler from my baseboard system. Is there any way tell if there has ever been chemical treatment of the water? Many pipes, especially near the boiler, are very corroded on the outside, if that's any indication. I havent drained any water out yet.
See attached photo.
I hadn't even had a chance to fire it after refurb and the rust came through immediately.
it was new piping also.
- I'm On Fire
- Member
- Posts: 3918
- Joined: Thu. Jun. 10, 2010 9:34 am
- Location: Vernon, New Jersey
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machines DS-1600 Hot Air Circulator
They'll look for things such as iron and certain acids that aid in corrosion and buildup. As for what they specifically look for, I don't know.Wallknight wrote:Is there anything in particular they should be looking for?
- coalkirk
- Member
- Posts: 5185
- Joined: Wed. May. 17, 2006 8:12 pm
- Location: Forest Hill MD
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1981 EFM DF520 retired
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Jotul 507 on standby
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite/rice coal
There will not be any acid in the boiler water. Acid would only be in new water going in and that will neutralize itself fairly quickly. Your corrosion has to be due to environment or leakage.
- davidmcbeth3
- Member
- Posts: 8505
- Joined: Sun. Jun. 14, 2009 2:31 pm
- Coal Size/Type: nut/pea/anthra
Thats black pipe & it corrodes very easily....sounds like the pH of your water is about 6 ... how to test? Well, I have a pH meter ... but your local water treatment plant may let you bring in a few jars to test...