underground condensate leak - base slide coupler expansion joint

elfie

 found a substantial underground condensate leak where expansion joint is attached to the copper pipe



because traps are not working live steam is being pushed down the return (in the process of being fixed); does it matter much to pipe if connections are subject to live steam vs condensate



is there a need for an expansion joint?



thanks

Jamie Hall

Yes and yes...

It does matter if fittings are exposed to live steam vs. condensate -- the former is quite bit hotter and, worse, can deliver a lot more heat as it condenses.  In a setting like that I would want something rated for live steam, even if it isn't supposed to get there.



And unless the copper runs involved are very short -- a few feet only -- in a setting like that an expansion joint of some kind is almost mandatory.  The forces with temperature change (again, particularly should steam get in there) can be very large if the pipes are restrained.



But that's just my opinion, and I haven't run the numbers...