Warning: That 'easy' boiler tube job in Toledo last Tuesday turned into a 14-hour nightmare.

We found a full section of the mud drum had thinned to less than 3/16 of an inch, hidden under a thick scale layer. The whole plan went out the window for an emergency cut-out and patch. Has anyone else had a visual inspection fail that badly on what looked like a simple job?

3 comments

3 Comments

emery29022d ago

We started bringing a cheap ultrasonic tester on every call after a surprise like that. It's not perfect, but it spots those hidden thin spots before you commit. Saved our butts a few times now.

grant47822d ago

That "thick scale layer hiding the real problem" is the worst. It's like the boiler is actively trying to fool you. I've pulled off what looked like solid plate only to find it's just scale holding hands, with nothing but a pinhole of actual metal left underneath. Makes you trust your eyes a lot less.

morgan_king3622d ago

Tell me about it. Boilers pulling that fake wall trick like a bad magic show. Tap it and the whole thing just crumbles into rust confetti.