Turn up the Thermostat and Start Making Plans for Southern Hemisphere Boiler Layup

July 7, 2025

If you live in the southern hemisphere, you might be reaching for your extra coat or turning up the thermostat on your heating system right about now. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start planning for the warm spring and summer season a few months away.

That is especially true for maintenance crews or water treatment professionals who service commercial heating boilers. While it may be hard to imagine turning  off these boilers in the middle of winter, seasonal layup will come soon enough, and it will be important to have a corrosion protection plan in place for a successful layup.

Corrosion Pain Points for Boilers

Although doing nothing to protect your boiler during layup is an initially pain-free option, the ensuing corrosion headaches will eventually catch up. That is because corrosion “eats” away at metal boiler internals, degrading the systems prematurely. Negative results may include the following:
1) The walls of the boiler become thinner over time, leading to potential leaks and replacements.
2) Corrosion products can clog the system.
3) High iron levels from rust falling into the water can “poison” the water, reacting with the water treatment chemicals to make them less effective.
4) The boiler will ultimately wear out sooner.

Traditional Layup vs. Cortec^® “Reptiles”

Some of the most common methods of boiler preservation are the use of desiccant or nitrogen blanketing. The first option absorbs moisture but does not actively fight corrosion. Furthermore, desiccant typically must be removed before the boiler is started to avoid serious consequences. The second option is expensive and requires complete reapplication if pressure is lost. In contrast, Cortec’s boiler “reptiles” are an extremely convenient and effective means of preservation.

Choose Your Boiler “Reptile”

Which “reptile” you choose depends on your boiler size and preferred layup style. Dry layup involves completely draining the boiler and only refilling it at startup.

Mid-Size Boilers: For boilers ranging from 100-10,000 gallons (0.38-38 m³), Boiler Lizard^® is a great way to tackle layup. Each water-soluble pouch contains enough Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor powder to protect 1,000 gallons (3.8 m³) of boiler volume. When placed inside a boiler water side and slit open, the  Boiler Lizard^® releases corrosion inhibiting vapors that form a protective molecular layer on metal surfaces as long as the boiler remains closed. At startup, the Boiler Lizard^® dissolves in the makeup water. Having a Boiler Egg™ alongside the Boiler Lizard^® will provide a fresh burst of corrosion inhibitors to protect the system during this sensitive time.

Large and Small Boilers / Fire Sides: Larger or smaller boilers, or those that need to be protected in the fire side, should be treated with a waterborne fogging fluid containing Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors. This comes in bulk form as the Boiler Dragon^™, a liquid that can be fogged throughout the system at the rate  of one fluid ounce per cubic foot (0.7-1.0 L/m³). For small boilers, one can of the Boiler Gecko^™ provides enough of the same chemistry to treat 100 gallons (0.38 m^³) of boiler volume. These Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors continue to protect the internals as long as the system remains closed and typically do not need to be removed before startup.

Wet Layup: Some boiler owners prefer not to drain or open their boilers. This type of layup is a job for the Boiler Turtle^™, a bulk liquid that can be added to the feedwater or condensate system and pumped to the boiler once the temperature has dropped below 180^°F (82^°C). After allowing the Boiler Turtle^™ 24 hours of dwell time at high water level, the boiler can be left as is for wet layup or drained for dry layup. During this time, the corrosion inhibitors of Boiler Turtle^™ protect metal surfaces in direct contact with the treated water and vaporize to protect metal surfaces in the headspace above the water line.

Plan Now for Better Boiler Layup

While it may be hard for those experiencing the southern hemisphere winter right now to imagine not needing boiler heat in a few months, the seasons will inevitably change, making it imperative to turn off the heat. Rather than waiting until the last minute, it is ideal to plan your corrosion protection strategy now for easy and effective seasonal boiler layup. So, grab a sweater, turn up the thermostat, and contact Cortec^® for further assistance preserving your assets.

Keywords: boiler layup, southern hemisphere boiler maintenance, seasonal layup, corrosion protection, boiler layup, boiler corrosion, how to prevent boiler corrosion, Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, Cortec

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