Building a wall over a baseboard

Randy_19

Our builder, in the course of tying our new house to our addition, has created two walls that bisect a baseboard hot water heating system to create a hallway. Also, he is installing a step in the hallway into the addition right over the baseboard (so it will be hidden). Both he and the HVAC guy have said that that's the way things are done during renovations. But it sounds wrong. Shouldn't the baseboard be removed and trimmed up to the wall, and the fins removed that are inside the wall and under that stairs? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Jim Bennett

Step

Is the floor level the same in the house and addition or is the step going to be there whether the baseboard is there or not? Sounds kind of sloppy to me, not the way I would want it done.

Now, if you are talking about haveing to step up and over the baseboard in a hallway that is on the same level as the main house, that would be completly unacceptable in my opinion.

Your the one who must live with the end result, so now is the time to have it to your likeing.

Good luck,
Jim

Ken_8

Jim's right.

Building a partition over/around existing HWBB (hot water baseboard)is bush-league workmanship, no matter how you cut it.

The fact that the configuration of the new and old room(s) have changed, also means the heat load has likely changed as well. If this is not addressed now, you'll have to wait until the first day of frost before you realize the house is uncomfortable - long after the GC cashed the final payment check. BE CAREFUL!

I suggest you plug in your zip code into the "Find a Professional" box atop this thread and get the correct info from guys who know.

Also, be aware, the term HVAC "guy" generally refers to guys who specialize in "scorched air" heating and air conditioning - but have no clue with regard to HWBB heating.



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jackchips_2

If the addition

is a step up or down from the original construction then stripping everything but the pipe through the step shouldn't be any problem. It is now just a continuation of the "loop".

There are many other considerations, some addressed in the other replies but hopefully your HVAC contractor has taken care of those when heating the addition.

Tony_8

You must be joking

Would they cover an electrical receptacle also ?

Make them do it right the first time, it may be the only chance you get.

jackchips_2

So Tony,

> Would they cover an electrical receptacle also

> ?

>

> Make them do it right the first time, it may

> be the only chance you get.

jackchips_2

So Tony,

> Would they cover an electrical receptacle also

> ?

>

> Make them do it right the first time, it may

> be the only chance you get.

jackchips_2

So Tony,

how do they do it right?

How do you continue a loop from one section of baseboard that is now interupted by a step?

Just curious and a comedian.


Jack

ScottMP

Once again Jack

You and I are on the same page. The correct way would have been remove that section, build the wall and then run a straight piece thru. The baseboard is allready there, so it completes the loop. Maybe it won't look as nice with out being trimed properly but it's not That Big of a deal.

I would be concerned if the rooms are no longer outside walls and the load is different.

Its not the best but certainly not a major goof.

By the way Tony, an electrcial box cannot be covered by code and needs access. Many copper pipes are not accessable.

Scott

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Randy_19

Addendum

Thanks for all the input. A couple things:

The step is one of two into the new addition that is about a foot or so higher than the existing house.

The baseboard hot water pipe runs around the exterior wall, but since we put on an addition, the wall in question (where the other walls bisect it and where a step will be put) is now an interior wall.

The "HVAC guy" is actually the one who does a lot of work for us and installed all the baseboard here. He knows hot water heaters well - which was why I was so surprised by him saying it's no big deal to build over the baseboard. He did say the fins should be removed to avoid unnecessary heating.

Tony_8

my point

Was, just as an electrical box can NOT be covered, neither SHOULD finned tube. Nor should the "de-finned" tube be used, it is too thin to bury in an inaccessible location, IMO, and should be replaced w/M tube.

My tongue was in my cheek when I typed my reply to the original poster, and I see he has filled in the "rest of the story" below.

I've also seen way too many "build over or around" projects by the local hacks to not be jaded in my views.

S Davis

Air bleeder

One thing I would watch for is if the radiator is a high spot and has a coin vent or air bleeder.
Will you have access to bleed air the next time the system is worked on if not you will probably have air noise.



S Davis

Apex Radiant Heating