Best Of
Re: What Do Space Exploration, Beer, and Hydronic Heating Have in Common?
This never gets old! Hydronics, Space and Beer…… sounds like my life!!!
Re: Wrestit wrench
Yeah, I think Ridgid called it a 'Rapit"
They probably got too many wrenches returned after being used as hammers.
Re: Replacing an old/inefficient oil burner with...an oil burner (?) Or...?
I have a Peerless WBV-03 and it's a ok boiler but it's not even comparable to the EK System 2000. I wouldn't install anything else in my home if I had to replace my boiler. I work on dozens of both boilers and the homeowners who have the EK are always much happier with the energy efficiency of the EK.
The EK isn't really any more complicated than other boilers. When they are installed and setup properly the annual maintenance is a lot easier than other boilers. If you ever have any issues you won't find better customer service and technical support than what EK provides.
I also feel like a Navien would be something to avoid like the plague.
Re: 1970's Block of Flats - Honeywell - Heating System
Honeywell just made the thermostat. As others have said, probably electric radiant embedded in the plaster or drywall or less commonly the floor.
mattmia2
Re: 1970's Block of Flats - Honeywell - Heating System
We built a 2 story duplex with identical floor plans. There was a thermostat in each room that operated electric radiant ceiling heat. There were no signs of where the electrical connections were in the building. Only the junction box in each room that the thermostat covered. Interesting heating system.
Here is an example: Ceiling Radiant Heating
Re: 1970's Block of Flats - Honeywell - Heating System
Follow the piping from the boiler room. Trace the piping until you cannot see it any longer. My thought, and from your description, it's a radiant floor heating system, or a warm air system.
Intplm.
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
I braze copper tubing that's inches away from dry lumber in homes, it's easy to avoid starting a fire when you make the right precautions. Low temperature soldering is easy in comparison.
If avoiding the risk of starting a fire is the main concern I would use compression fittings instead of shark bites. Just my opinion, I feel like it's a better way to go. I've seen too many homeowners have leaks when the piping isn't perfectly straight or when any stress is out on the connection. Yes, I know leaks can happen in those situations with all types of connections but as a professional I view shark bites as something to avoid. Like @Mad Dog_2 I try to do everything the best way possible. Even if it's not the easiest, fastest or cheapest way to do it.
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
I see lots of mention of copper fittings leaking but not one mention of a sharkbite leaking. Which is the easier repair?
Can't make everything bulletproof but you can make it accessible to some degree, if not fully.
I sweat stuff at my house, but I'm old school and a little proud in the challenge. I feel unless going against what the fitting is designed to do, than do what you want.
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
"Already, I am imagining myself worried as **** thinking about leaks and a blow out and a flooded basement. Do I need to be?"
As hard as it is to imagine, Sharks are allowed in many areas by code for buried installations!
I have used SBs as temps, and just as others have done, left several in place "just to see". I have about 4 in my basement right now at least 10 years - no leaks.
You won't get a blow out if you follow the instructions exactly, and that means first marking the depth and then making sure the pipe is inserted to that depth. If you ever get a leak, it will be a drip - I doubt a SB will blow off a pipe properly inserted. When I used them, I also deburred the cut and cleaned the pipe just as if I was going to sweat it to give the O-ring a nice smooth surface to seal against. If all your work is exposed and will remain so, then use the Bites if you don't have sweating skills.
MaxMercy
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
Paul...my "Data" is in the tens of thousands of homes and commercial buildings I've worked in since 1985. Millions a liner feet of Copper sweat joints (installed since the 1950s) that's 75 yr old "empirical Data." I still see galvanized screw pipe on domestic water installed over 125 yrs ago still working...no.leaks..And then there's lead.
Your "datum" is based on what? Your basement laboratory & internet research? You need to crawl through some Plaster & Lathe suspended ceilings in NYC museums and Courthouses, St Patrick's Cathedral, Crawlspaces of NYC Housing projects & 1870s Gold Coast Mansions of the North Shore of Long Island.
Stay with your position that they are fast & require no skills..I'll concur, but Sharkbites & Propress outlasting traditional pipe, fittings and joining systems?? Nolo Contendre....Mad Dog
