Iron pipe to copper in steam boiler

UniR_3

On a home that has a very low pressure copper piping is fine i have been doing steam piping for years on home heating systems with no problems. I havea customer that has had copper steam piping in his house for 45 years never a problem. Take that know it alls

Raven_2

Iron pipe to copper in steam boiler

I have a steam boiler in a two story home and want to change the main lines from iron to copper leaving the risers iron. Will there be any problems?

Steamhead (in transit)

You bet it will be a problem

Copper steam lines are guaranteed to leak at the joints, since the soldered joints won't give as the pipes expand and contract. Eventually the solder will break.

Why do you want to change these pipes?

"Steamhead"

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Raven_2

I want to change the pipies because they are leaking, these pipies are old. What if I braze them?

steve toland_3

pipes

just change them with new iron pipes. just use a good dope and deffinitley use wicking

RonWHC

30 Unit Condo

we used to service had their 2 pipe steam risers replaced w/ copper about 5 years ago. Plumber assured them 95/5 would keep the joints together.

They were tearing out walls within the first couple of years. Plumber blamed us. Said we were running @ too high a pressure. Showed him, & them, the vaporstat. Then he blamed the treatment guy. Pot calling the kettle black.

When they changed Management Companies, we waved goodbye. Hear they're still knocking holes in walls.

Don't do it. Use black steel.

Anna Conda

That's not the problem. The reason that copper joints on steam systems leak is because copper expands so much more and faster than iron, when the steam hits it. The threaded joints of iron pipe will absorb the expansion of the iron; copper has no such absorption. The other problem with copper on steam is that copper sheds much more heat than iron. Steam in copper pipe will start to condense before it reaches the radiators, leading to hammering and poor heating. Copper is for hot-water; iron is for steam.

John@Reliable_14

Just price is reason enough not to do copper pipe

Price with 2" copper vs: 2" black pipe

scrook_2

especially if

you braze them vs. soft solder them!

UniR_3

I didn't post that

Jim Pompetti

ASME

ASME Section IV notes that iron pipe is required . It is better to keep one's mouth closer and be though a fool , then to open it and erase all doubt .In the case of an accident ,I would rather have iron. You may not know the code , but the lawyer who sues will, be sure of that.