Just spent 3 hours chasing a pinhole leak in a 6 inch steam line

Turned out to be a tiny slag inclusion from when I welded that section back in March. Didn't show up on the hydro test because it was so small but after 60 cycles of heat it opened right up. Guy I work with said he's seen this happen on carbon steel lines around 400 degrees before. Anyone else run into hidden defects that only show up after months of service?

3 comments

3 Comments

wendy62815d ago

Ain't that the truth? Had a valve seat crack show up after six months once.

drew5515d ago

Honestly, reminds me of that time I bought a used truck and thought I'd scored a deal. Everything looked fine until the first cold snap, then it started ticking like a time bomb. Turned out the previous owner had used some cheap stop-leak stuff to hide a hairline crack in the block. Ran fine for three months then poof, coolant all over the driveway. Made that "bargain" hurt a whole lot worse than if I'd just paid more up front.

patricialee12d ago

Used to think cheaper was smarter. You changed my mind.