Anyone know of any heat and water resistant sealant ?

Strangely enough in my last place where I had a fire with backboiler I was told to keep the fire alight till the came to fix it, as the heat expansion would keep the leak sealed, mind you that was the backboiler itself and it only showed when I let the fire out for the summer
 
Anything you get will be a bodge to be fair, as well as being waterproof,and heatproof, it also needs to bond well enough and strong enough to take the pressure of the head of water above. Also, just to feel the leak you implied it was extremely tight and awkward (grazed knuckles), so getting enough sealant on it and around it is really gonna be difficult. I know it's easy for me to just say, but your best bet really is a replacement, or at least a repair from somebody qualified (never repaired a heat exchanger on a gas boiler and personally would advise against it anyway)

If you bodge it, it leaks again but worse, you go downstairs one morning, water everywhere, home insurance may be void because you've attempted a repair yourself and you've flooded the house. Nightmare scenario I admit

Feel sorry for you for the time of year especially
 
TheCrewDesigns said:
Ahhh crap just found this about the screwfix stuff. Looks like its not for constant heat just to fireprotect something for short times. Or am I reading it wrong
Click to expand...

Oh Poo.

How about this one?

- Short Term Temperature Resistance: 300°C
- Long Term Temperature Resistance: 250°C

In fact I think this is what I meant to link to the first time around :$
For some reason I can't view the PDF on it, which I think is why I ended up clicking on the other the one last time.
 
TheCrewDesigns said:
Thank you that looks good espeially for the heat (2000c) now were talking. But there is no mention of it being water resistant that I can see
Click to expand...

Most are water based and therefore not a good idea, the Pyro-Putty® 1500 looks the best contender as it isn't but I have no experience of it whatsoever so can't really comment ;)

I know someone who can probably help with this, I'll give him a call tomorrow for his suggestions.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Anything you get will be a bodge to be fair, as well as being waterproof,and heatproof, it also needs to bond well enough and strong enough to take the pressure of the head of water above. Also, just to feel the leak you implied it was extremely tight and awkward (grazed knuckles), so getting enough sealant on it and around it is really gonna be difficult. I know it's easy for me to just say, but your best bet really is a replacement, or at least a repair from somebody qualified (never repaired a heat exchanger on a gas boiler and personally would advise against it anyway)

If you bodge it, it leaks again but worse, you go downstairs one morning, water everywhere, home insurance may be void because you've attempted a repair yourself and you've flooded the house. Nightmare scenario I admit

Feel sorry for you for the time of year especially
Click to expand...

I have no choice tried loads of people some won't or can't touch a parkray others are booked solid until the new year. We are here with two small kids (one autistic) with two small electric heaters and nothing else to keep warm so I have to try something.

Mark & Sarah - thanks for those links there looks like some good possibilities there
 
Splog said:
Most are water based and therefore not a good idea, the Pyro-Putty® 1500 looks the best contender as it isn't but I have no experience of it whatsoever so can't really comment ;)

I know someone who can probably help with this, I'll give him a call tomorrow for his suggestions.
Click to expand...


Thanks I appreciate that......
 
Is the problem inside the firebox? Even if it is, the metal won't be glowing cherry red, so you'd be OK on that count, but not if it's cast iron or too big a heatsink for the MAPP torch to heat. I used one to braze reinforcing plates to the square section tube that takes the riddling handle for our multi-fuel stove, and a lot of heat went into the surrounding area of the stove's side.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
I understand your logic but that isn't correct. The water only has a split second to heat as it goes from the return,through the heat exchanger,and out the flow. You may be surprised at how hot the surface of a heat exchanger gets, certainly higher than 100c.

And regarding boiling,water can only boil if its vented to atmosphere, there is usually/shouldn't be, air in a heat exchanger. If you get air in a heat ex, you're hear localised boiling, hissing, and kettling.
Click to expand...

In fact there will be a temperature gradient between the surface next to the water which assuming the water is at atmospheric pressure will be a little above aprox 100C and the surface nearest the heat source. The hottest point near the fire is not going to be that hot or it will oxidise too quickly giving the heat exchanger too short a life.

Whilst assisting our facilities people with a problem with one of the heating boilers at work I did a bit of research into the sealant they needed and found that the manufacturer's recommendation was up to 200C. The product I suggested if good to 350C. The Draper point (that's when it starts to glow red hot) is only 525C.

Helping people? :bang:
 
I'm amazed there are no pictures of the problem ;)
 
Get somebody in who knows what they are doing.Get it mended properly.

Is your life and your dependants worth the risk?
 
Have you asked in your local plumbers merchant store? They may be able to recomend something.
 
Oggy said:
If it is anywhere near the water then it will not be that hot as the water conducts the heat away. The water is going to boil at 100 C so the temperature of the ironwork is not going to be that much higher.
Click to expand...

Oggy said:
In fact there will be a temperature gradient between the surface next to the water which assuming the water is at atmospheric pressure will be a little above aprox 100C and the surface nearest the heat source. The hottest point near the fire is not going to be that hot or it will oxidise too quickly giving the heat exchanger too short a life.

Whilst assisting our facilities people with a problem with one of the heating boilers at work I did a bit of research into the sealant they needed and found that the manufacturer's recommendation was up to 200C. The product I suggested if good to 350C. The Draper point (that's when it starts to glow red hot) is only 525C.

Helping people? :bang:
Click to expand...

Sorry I can't take you seriously. No idea what background you're from, but doubt it's relevant to the task at hand. Anyone who thinks a heat exchanger gets only a little bit hotter than 100deg C has never worked on one....:bonk:
 
fracster said:
Get somebody in who knows what they are doing.Get it mended properly.

Is your life and your dependants worth the risk?
Click to expand...

+1,000,000

Forums are often a dangerous thing when it comes to "DIY", lots of DIYers with the power of "google" can mean big trouble.

Get a gas boiler plumbed in, if I was local I'd do it for you for less than £2000. And yes I have my ACS and I'm qualified to work on practically every natural gas and lpg appliance ever made :thumbs:
 
Self tapping screw dipped in high temp sealant (That SX fireguard stuff I've used before when working with solid fuel stoves on boats) would be my temp solution if I couldn't weld/braze the actual; firebox for any reason.
 
fracster said:
Get somebody in who knows what they are doing.Get it mended properly.

Is your life and your dependants worth the risk?
Click to expand...

You get me someone who can do it for me and I would be happy. I have tried to get someone to fix it NONE are available

Mahoneyd187 said:
+1,000,000

Forums are often a dangerous thing when it comes to "DIY", lots of DIYers with the power of "google" can mean big trouble.

Get a gas boiler plumbed in, if I was local I'd do it for you for less than £2000. And yes I have my ACS and I'm qualified to work on practically every natural gas and lpg appliance ever made :thumbs:
Click to expand...

No one available and we don't have gas in the village

Keenbfb said:
Have you asked in your local plumbers merchant store? They may be able to recomend something.
Click to expand...

I am off to screwfix today see if they can suggest anything

But thanks all for all the help and suggestions its much appreciated :thumbs:
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Self tapping screw dipped in high temp sealant (That SX fireguard stuff I've used before when working with solid fuel stoves on boats) would be my temp solution if I couldn't weld/braze the actual; firebox for any reason.
Click to expand...

Good idea if I could see the actual hole, its hidden from sight
 
John,

Totally understand your frustrations, I've had to tell more people than I can remember that their boiler is broken, or dangerous with parts no longer available and beyond repair. I totally understand the implications for you, especially with children in your care.

I'm being sympathetic when I say, your perseverence to find a temporary solution is commendable, but with little access to this leak, an inability to take it apart safely, and a struggle to find something to stop this leak with, that will actually work, using your time and energy at the moment might be better spent finding an alternative solution to your temporary heating. LPG gas heaters, electric heaters, oil radiators and so on...

I know it's not what you want to hear mate, seriously I'm not trying to upset anyone, but think about the implications if this self repair doesn't hold and you get a further leak over night.

I'll leave you be mate, wish you the best of luck with finding a solution either way and hope it doesn't ruin xmas for you and your family.

Kind Regards

Danny
 
TBH and even with your circumstances ANY kind of work on a gas appliance can leave you open to prosecution if anything goes wrong - law states that only a qualified gas engineer can work on a gas appliance.

Have you tried a couple of small fan heaters - these put out heat quite quickly and are thermostatically controlled and can heat up even a large room very quickly.

And electric blankets can heat a bed up before getting in then can be set to a low setting to keep sleepers warm all night even in a cold room.

And if and when you get a new boiler I would strongly recommend getting insurance for it from British Gas etc - it can save a fortune in the long run.

.
 
Last edited:
petersmart said:
TBH and even with your circumstances ANY kind of work on a gas appliance can leave you open to prosecution if anything goes wrong - law states that only a qualified gas engineer can work on a gas appliance.

Have you tried a couple of small fan heaters - these put out heat quite quickly and are thermostatically controlled and can heat up even a large room very quickly.

And electric blankets can heat a bed up before getting in then can be set to a low setting to keep sleepers warm all night even in a cold room.

And if and when you get a new boiler I would strongly recommend getting insurance for it from British Gas etc - it can save a fortune in the long run.

.
Click to expand...

Peter - Good advice for a GAS user - but not really relevant for a solid fuel burner
 
Dogfish_magnet said:
Peter - Good advice for a GAS user - but not really relevant for a solid fuel burner
Click to expand...

OOPS my bad - but the bit about the fan heaters and electric blankets is good.

And to quite honest I don't think anything will repair it in the circumstances.

It needs to be expertly done.

.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
John,

Totally understand your frustrations, I've had to tell more people than I can remember that their boiler is broken, or dangerous with parts no longer available and beyond repair. I totally understand the implications for you, especially with children in your care.

I'm being sympathetic when I say, your perseverence to find a temporary solution is commendable, but with little access to this leak, an inability to take it apart safely, and a struggle to find something to stop this leak with, that will actually work, using your time and energy at the moment might be better spent finding an alternative solution to your temporary heating. LPG gas heaters, electric heaters, oil radiators and so on...

I know it's not what you want to hear mate, seriously I'm not trying to upset anyone, but think about the implications if this self repair doesn't hold and you get a further leak over night.

I'll leave you be mate, wish you the best of luck with finding a solution either way and hope it doesn't ruin xmas for you and your family.

Kind Regards

Danny
Click to expand...

Hey you did not upset me and I am sorry if I came across that way. Just lots on my mind at the moment. BUT you are absolutely right and I have decided not to attempt a repair. I would worry about it all the time and of course it would be very dangerous if it leaked again..

I have a few plans in place to replace the fire in the new year with a new one and for the moment we have a few heaters

THANK YOU... to everyone who offered their help and suggestions its very much appreciated :thumbs:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top