Galvanized piping bad for steam boiler?

Senordre

Hi,



I am a homeowner with a gas steam boiler.



Here is my question: Are galvanized pipes bad for the boiler? I had a contractor tell me that steam interacts with the piping and creates corrosion which is bad for my boiler and the radiators. The posts on this forum seem to indicate that galvanized pipes are bad news when it comes to steam. Weil-Mclain told me that it is not worth the money to replace the pipes unless there is evidence of electrolysis at the joints (i.e. corrosion). How would I determine corrosion? When I flush the float valve I notice muddy looking water come out. Is that indicative of corrosion?



Anybody have opinions on this?

Rod

Galvanized Piping in Steam Systems

Hi- Galvanized pipe isn't used for steam because the high heat of steam and resulting constant expansion and contraction of the piping has a tendency for the zinc coatng (the galvanizing) to flake off. The flakes will then clog the orifices in the vents and controls.



Boiler piping - Black threaded pipe should ,be used for steam carrying pipe. You can use copper pipe on the wet returns though some of the pros prefer to do the whole system in black threaded pipe.



How do you tell corrosion? -When you get a hole in the pipe!  The Wet Return piping is the most likely to corrode as always contains boiler water  You may also see a build up like you can get on car battery terminals. This is an indication of galvanic corrosion and is usually a result of connecting iron and copper  together.



Dirty Boiler Water -  the following posts might be of interest to you.

http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/143361/Steamaster-tablets-water-treatment

http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/147697/Steamaster-Tablets-Pex-Supply



If you consider going with the tablets, be sure to read the posts carefully as practice differs with the instructions on the  tablet bottle! 

- Rod