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Re: DEAD WRONG
I've seen orangeburg outlast cast iron and still come across it in homes built in the 1940's & 50's.Mad Dog_2 said:Orangeburg was never sold or advertised as a Top Notch, Quality product. It was "The Builders Special" installed by G.C.s and outdoor Site Work, predominantly. It was the "PVC" Flex Supply of its day. Real plumbers knew it was cheesy, cardboard-Tar Pipe.
Speed and economy are the Hallmarks of A Market system. Many of the "new" technologies and systems turned out to be pretty durable like Soldered copper pipe and fittings, No-Hub Cast Iron for DWV, Copper DWV (my favorite system till this day!). Wirsbo/Uponor Pex Propex system. Mad Dog 🐕
In my experience, it was used most often on the outlet side of septic tanks; I think orangeburg was plentiful right after WW2 & was easier to install compared to terracotta or clay.
While I'm not a big fan of orangeburg, I hope the miles of pipe I've installed will last 75 years.
MikeL_2
1
Re: can these be changed from steam to hydonic?
They'll never get their money back. Besides, if any pipes are run in outside walls, they're likely to freeze. And the increased operating pressure WILL cause leaks if there are any weak spots in the rads or piping.
We've saved some of our customers a third on their fuel consumption by fixing the steam. There's no reason to convert to water.
We've saved some of our customers a third on their fuel consumption by fixing the steam. There's no reason to convert to water.
Re: Help choosing a combi boiler please
And Lisa -- @Peacebubbles -- @Mad Dog_2 is a good honest man who does top quality work.
Re: Best Spray Paint for Old Radiators.....again
If I ever get time to do it I'm painting all of mine satin black.Mad Dog_2 said:I purposely didn't want silver or gold because its so common...thats why I went with Copper. Have several that are Flat & Glossy Black to switch it up. When Dan & TLM downsized their office in Bethpage Village, Dan was so kind to donate the 4 Section Burnham Classic Victorian Radiator to my Old Farmhouse..In Matt Jr's room...its kept him warm for 21 Years! Mad Dog 🐕
ChrisJ
1
Re: Options? 5500 Sq Ft Victorian Mansion w/50+ year old system
This is right up my alley. If you think I can help, either as an independent consultant or heating contractor, reach out to me via the links below.
JohnNY
2
Re: Options? 5500 Sq Ft Victorian Mansion w/50+ year old system
Crane hasn't made boilers since about 1974. About then, they sold their boiler division to Slant/Fin, which made some very nice boilers until they went out of business last year. So it's older than that Code.
Re: Options? 5500 Sq Ft Victorian Mansion w/50+ year old system
I live and work across the Hudson in NJ. I'm not sure I've ever workeed on a Crane boiler of this era, so do not take my word for it. The flat head screws on the cabinet were not used after the 1970's. The conduit that feeds the lectrical box looks similar to what we use today, may 1970's or perhaps 1980's. The BX looks to be no older than 1970's. The Honeywell control, the B&G pump, and the expansion tanks look newer than the the 1980's. Most Honeywell controls from that era have the date stamped on them in black ink. My guess is the boiler was manufacturerd betweeen 1975 and 1985.
We have worked in NYC in the past. What your dealing with is one of the reasons we prefer to work in NJ.
As far as the boiler, piping and distribution system goes, the way I see it you (or the owner) has two choices. Ideally, update everything and install modern high eficiency equipment (big bucks), epsecially of you can get a wizard in that understands your system. Or modernize a roughly fifty year old boiler and hope for the best. Yes, cast iron boilers can last a long time. But how much longer is that sucker going to last? If I am correct the gas valve and pilot assembly have been outlawed for years. I belive I read a long time ago that ASHRAE? claims the averge life expectancy of a cast iron boiler is twenty-five years. I could certainly be mistaken.
We have worked in NYC in the past. What your dealing with is one of the reasons we prefer to work in NJ.
As far as the boiler, piping and distribution system goes, the way I see it you (or the owner) has two choices. Ideally, update everything and install modern high eficiency equipment (big bucks), epsecially of you can get a wizard in that understands your system. Or modernize a roughly fifty year old boiler and hope for the best. Yes, cast iron boilers can last a long time. But how much longer is that sucker going to last? If I am correct the gas valve and pilot assembly have been outlawed for years. I belive I read a long time ago that ASHRAE? claims the averge life expectancy of a cast iron boiler is twenty-five years. I could certainly be mistaken.
