View Full Version : Help: Heaters At Home Leaking Water
juanchino12
Nov 23, 2006, 09:30 PM
Hello,
The heating furnaces around my home started leaking incessantly today. The heat is not on, but the furnaces in the bathroom, living room and bedrooms just have water coming out of them nonstop. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
NorthernHeat
Nov 24, 2006, 11:56 AM
Boiler? Or furnace?
juanchino12
Nov 24, 2006, 12:00 PM
The furnaces in the different rooms (bathroom, living room, bedroom) thanks for the help
juanchino12
Nov 24, 2006, 12:05 PM
The radiators
NorthernHeat
Nov 24, 2006, 12:09 PM
Radiators are just a simple copper tube with fins around it, can you see where it is leaking exactly? Is there a chance these water lines could have froze? There is a water valve that comes into the boiler that will stop the flow of water, but once you close it you will have no heat.
juanchino12
Nov 24, 2006, 12:14 PM
There are knobs on the side of the radiators that I can twist to open or close (sorry for the description due to my unfamiliarity). The water just flows out from under the knobs?
NorthernHeat
Nov 24, 2006, 12:17 PM
It will be on a 1/2" ((almost always)(could be 3/4")) copper line that goes to your whole house water supply.
juanchino12
Nov 24, 2006, 12:24 PM
So, I should just stop the flow of water to the heating system, right?
Why is this happening though? Thanks again.
NorthernHeat
Nov 24, 2006, 12:49 PM
I don't know. I'd have to see it. Where is the water coming from exactly? Could the pipes maybe have frozen. Is this low pessure steam? Or just hot water heat?
juanchino12
Nov 24, 2006, 12:51 PM
The water comes out from the knobs next to the radiator. I don't think the pipes froze, do you have any colleagues in the Boston area you could recommend to hire for this?
NorthernHeat
Nov 24, 2006, 12:55 PM
the water comes out from the knobs next to the radiator. I don't think the pipes froze, do you have any collegues in the Boston area you could recommend to hire for this?
Sorry I don't. Is it a lot of water?
Did You try to close or open them?
Can you describe the knobs?
juanchino12
Nov 24, 2006, 02:36 PM
It's just the knobs on the radiator to open or close heat from flowing in. Perhaps, the water level on the furnace in the basement is too high? Thanks again Northern
leftwinga
Nov 25, 2006, 08:08 PM
Did You Try To Tighten The Packing Nuts On Valves?
bharr07
Nov 25, 2006, 08:49 PM
Your valve stems are leaking , get yourself a an adjustable wrench and tighten the packing nuts on the radiator valves , on the valve you will see under the shutoff knob and where the valve stem goes into is a hex nut , try tightening them down a bit , but don't overtighten ,just try to tighten till the water stops leaking before you start make sure the valves are open all the way and then tighten the nuts down , and then don't close the vavle or tamper with the valve anymore just leave it , especially if there old, until you can get someone to re-pack the valves or replace them , and what part of boston are you from , I know many heating co. there , I can recommend someone close to you