Help!!! leaking boiler supply line

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    • 23 Jan 2006 at 9:48 pm #277767
      Avatar photoAdrews
      Member

      This weekend for the first time in the 6 years I have had my steam boiler, I have developed a leak from a 1/2 inch copper pipe that is attached to what appears to be some kind of one way vent valve. The “T ” shaped valve is installed in between the automatic water feeder and the water supply line. One end is the water inlet. the opposite end is the outlet that leads to the water feeder. The third has a 1/2 pipe that is connected to nothing and has started dripping water on a continuous basis. I assume that this is some kind of emergency outlet of some kind. Do I need this vent or can I just sweat a shut off valve to the end of the third leg? What is the purpose of this valve? From what I see if I stop the dripping with a cut off valve, the water will back up to the vent valve and just fall into the loop that feeds boiler. What should I do? The system appears to be working fine and heats all the radiators so I am not crazy about capping the leak. but I don’t want to just let the leaking water drain into my trap. Water bills here in NY are crazy as it is..Help!!!

    • 24 Jan 2006 at 11:23 am #297078
      Avatar photoRetired plbg1
      Participant

      Thats a Pressure releif valve ehiter you have built up pressure are it is bad and has to be replaced. Replace it and see if it leaks if it does call a Plumber. Let me know.


      Art retired plbg

    • 24 Jan 2006 at 12:22 pm #297079
      Avatar phototonyr62
      Participant

      thanks so much…I will do that

    • 1 Feb 2006 at 3:55 am #297080
      Avatar photodubldare
      Participant

      Sounds as if you are speaking of one of these:

      If that is what you have, it is a dciav (double check intermediate atmospheric vent) backflow preventer.

      The vent, or the line which is dripping in your case, is your separation between the heating system and your drinking water. The dripping of water is a sign it needs servicing. They can be rebuilt, but in many cases a thorough cleaning is all that’s needed.

      Capping off that line will open you to possible contamination of your potable water. Additionally, the valve will continue to leak from the rivets which hold the data tag in place (they do that so the valve gets servicing when it needs it).

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