51 Jericho Boiler Leak
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 10:20 am
With the cold snap late last week and high frequency burner run time I had a puddle under the boiler. I initially feared the worst that I had a boiler section seal leak or corroded boiler, but it turns out it was just the relief valve leaking. I also then thought I would just need to replace the relief valve, but a quick check of the gauge showed that it was doing it's job correctly and the boiler had gone to 30 psi from the nominal 15 psi.
Checked the expansion tank (mini version of the same thing a well service tank). Seemed full of water. Pulled it off and drained it, apparently the air charge had gotten low? It puked out some black crap that I think is part of the EPDM bladder.
I was able to drain it, air recharge, reinstall and appears to be functional, no air/water or blending leaks detected. It's been working since.
Ordered a new one and a new relief valve. Home Depot had one for like $45, I think Lowes was about the same (Amtrol Extrol). I have heard bad things about box store cost-competiveness vs. "real" supply house models, especially for water heaters and expansion tanks. I found out that Amtrol split their extrol tank line into "regular" and "pro". I found a "pro" on Supplyhouse.com and ordered from them for like $80. Based on the Amtrol brochures it appears the "pro" has a better interior anti-corrosion coating, potentially a thicker EPDM bladder, and hopefully a not-gimmicky water-in-the-air-side indicator.
Checked the expansion tank (mini version of the same thing a well service tank). Seemed full of water. Pulled it off and drained it, apparently the air charge had gotten low? It puked out some black crap that I think is part of the EPDM bladder.
I was able to drain it, air recharge, reinstall and appears to be functional, no air/water or blending leaks detected. It's been working since.
Ordered a new one and a new relief valve. Home Depot had one for like $45, I think Lowes was about the same (Amtrol Extrol). I have heard bad things about box store cost-competiveness vs. "real" supply house models, especially for water heaters and expansion tanks. I found out that Amtrol split their extrol tank line into "regular" and "pro". I found a "pro" on Supplyhouse.com and ordered from them for like $80. Based on the Amtrol brochures it appears the "pro" has a better interior anti-corrosion coating, potentially a thicker EPDM bladder, and hopefully a not-gimmicky water-in-the-air-side indicator.