Reviving steam heat in abandoned home....Boilerpro

Boilerpro_5

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Boilerpro_5

Home sitting 25 to 30 years or more

without heating system operating. Architect is thinking of tearing out all the piping since it will make asbestos abatement cheaper snd piping may be questionable. Is there any substancial foundation for this concern? Does the piping deteriorate greatly when the system is not in use? I suggested air pressure testing the piping before making any decision. Any other things to look for? The system is two pipe, so obviously traps, and other mechanical items will need attention. This system is in a very large home (about 6 to 8,000 sq ft), even though it is dwarfed by the home across the street at 16,000 sq ft built by the same family.

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EBEBRATT-Ed

I woud think the steam would be fine. The wet returns (if any) could be a problem. For my money unless there is a ton of wet returns to repipe--I would stay steam.

Ed

Steamhead (in transit)

Pipes above the waterline

should be fine. They haven't had anything running thru them for years. At the most you might want to flush them out. I'd replace any wet returns though.

I wonder where they got that idea about the asbestos? Seems to me you have to get rid of it first, whether or not the pipes are removed. I suspect that guy is being fed this stuff by someone who wants to do an expensive tear-out. Beware.

With new traps, new boiler and the rads cleaned and repainted, this system should work well after its long lay-off. What type of Vapor system is it?

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Mark Hunt_3

Here's one


If you recall, I revived an old steam system last year. There wasn't much left in the way of piping, just a few risers to the existing rads. Everything else had been removed.

The radiators had not been used in at least 25 years, possibly more.

When I first fired the system and those radiators began to see steam, two of them leaked from the bottom. I heard what must have been the expansion of the radiators, almost like water hammer. PING!!! drip, drip, drip.........

They did not crack, they leaked from between the sections.

Thankfully, only two needed to be replaced.

I did a complete system replacement in an old church back in the 90's. The system had been in place for nearly 100 years. For some reason, the church committee wanted all of the piping replaced. The steam mains and dry returns were fine but as you would expect, the wet return lines definitely needed replacing. I doubt you would have an issue with the pipe, but the fitting connections might be a different story. No telling how they will react to expansion they have not experienced in so many years.

Hope this helps and have fun!!

Mark H

Unknown

I have to agree with these guys,

I'd change everything below the steam main and dry return. Then I'd not make any promises on the rest of it, but it probably will be all right, except things that already needed attention before it was abandoned. Thin spots will still be thin.

I'd keep it, though. Less dollars to tame it than to rip it out and start over.

Noel

J.C.A._3

I agree also with the above...

Unless the new homeowner is demanding a complete re-pipe, it would seem to be the best solution.

If they are on board with the design team...what have you got to lose? Bid the job right and do what they ask. You could be in for a profitable year in that scenario.

I'm a big fan of saving any steam system, but it comes down to the owner, and a GREAT survey.... to figure out which way will be the least invasive and be the best for the new homeowner. (Screw the designer...what do they know? Give the owner YOUR take on it and if he doesn't follow, take his money for whatever he/she wants, and do it right. You ALWAYS win that way!) Chris

gerry gill

yup, i agree with the others

as far as you'll probably have to replace the wet returns..any gunk build up in them is hard as a rock by now..any buried wet returns surely are swiss cheese by now..but that shouldn't be to bad of an evolution to do..the steam pipes i would bet are just fine..the valves and traps probably will all need rebuilding..but most houses could say that too, don't you think? the asbestos should only need removal if its deteriorated..otherwise it can be encapsulated unless local rules require otherwise..i think it could easily be saved..and i think your just the man for the job..of course we'd want lots of pictures and progress updates

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Steamhead (in transit)

Any more

on this one, Dave?

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Boilerpro_5

Not yet..

They are taking care of even more basic items, like a new roof and structural issues. I havn't had much time to get back in tough with them. I'd sure like to see this old system shine again.

Boilerpro

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Al Roethlisberger

I just want to...


.... see photos of these 6,000 sqft and 16,000sqft 100yr old houses!

Al