Pex for Steam Supply and Return

Ted_Ryan

Can Pex be used for steam supply and returns. I am doing a renovation and found some copper supply/return buried behind a wall. The pipes need to be moved a bit. The spot is a little tricky to route threaded iron pipe and the plumber is suggesting an easier solution with pex and some heavy duty fittings. Sounds sketchy to me. I have de-coppered the rest of my system where copper was exposed. Is pex ok for steam and if not, does that mean I am talking to a "knucklehead?. Thanks.

Jamie Hall

No and yes, in that order.

KC_Jones

Throw them out of the house with that silliness. And give them a copy of the lost art for Christmas.

nicholas bonham-carter

This could be the ideal use for the mini tube system by Gerry Gill. Unfortunately the whole system would probably need to be changed.—NBC

STEAM DOCTOR

Hum. Had a contractor who wanted to run a steam pipe outside the house to a third floor bedroom. Not quite sure which idea is worse.

Ted_Ryan

Quick follow-up. Now proposing steel with mega-press fittings rather than threaded. Not sure how they will hold up with the expansion and contraction. Thank you all for your input, as always!

Dave0176

Ted_Ryan said:

Quick follow-up. Now proposing steel with mega-press fittings rather than threaded. Not sure how they will hold up with the expansion and contraction. Thank you all for your input, as always!

They are rated for low pressure steam. I’m a traditionalist so it’s only black threaded pipe and cast iron fittings.

Steamhead

Sounds like that guy doesn't know how to work with threaded pipe. Find someone else who is actually qualified for this work.

New England SteamWorks

I am in the "find someone else" camp. If you have steam, you need a contractor who knows how to thread pipe and has the proper equipment to do so.

Ironman

Though Mega Press is rated for steam and would probably be ok, any dipstick that would suggest using pex on steam needs to be flogged for such stupidity.

Find a real steam pro - he will be able to thread pipe.

Mike Cascio

If I heard those suggestions, I would escort the contractor to the door.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Toss him. All he want's to do is take the easy way out

Gordy

Wonder how many steam systems the "dipstick" has done with PEX like that?.....

Ironman

Gordy said:

Wonder how many steam systems the "dipstick" has done with PEX like that?.....

None that will last.

Gordy

Must be a fresh batch if he threw it out there. I don't think that maneuver has ever been posted on this forum.

nicholas bonham-carter

Maybe he would like to learn, and do a good job, but has no knowledge of this site. All he needs is a little education!—NBC

gerry gill

got to admit....it would be fun to watch what happens

Ted_Ryan

I think the jury has spoken and the verdict is clear. Black iron and threaded fittings. I miss Joe Starosieliec. He would roll over if he new I was considering these methods. I am humbled and thank you all.

KC_Jones

If you used to use Joe you need to contact either @Dave0176 or @EzzyT they both work the NJ area.

Ted_Ryan

Thank you. The boiler is in Skytop PA (Poconos)

j a_2

nicholas bonham-carter said:

Maybe he would like to learn, and do a good job, but has no knowledge of this site. All he needs is a little education!—NBC

Sorry but it takes a wee bit more than a LITTLE training, and besides,if he’s at the point he’s out selling jobs with recommendations like mixing pex with steam,he needs to find another career field....I’ll be a SOB if I would ever let an unskilled individual work in my home...jmo

Mad Dog_2

You need to track down MURPH. He's out that way. I'll try to find his # for you. Mad dog

Steve_210

I think it’s worth mentioning we always use copper below the waterline wet returns
Guys would you not agree the copper is better for a wet return it will not rust
I’m not for one second suggesting it gets used on the steam
Side

Jackmartin

NO NO NO NO NO and NO NO NO All he best Jack

Jackmartin

We have had good success with copper on return lines we use at minimum type L but if you can afford it K is better it will outlast us all. We are in the HVAC field so we do a lot of hard soldering using silver bearing hard solder we use for AC work and we have had really excellent success. An old engineer told me if you use a product such as Stay Bright siver bearing soft solder and you will be in good shape as well, so perhaps we are over killing the problem with hard soldering? All the best Jack

jumper

What's wrong with soft copper bent to accommodate expansion and mechanical connections? Eventually there won't be enough of us who can deal with threaded steel. Toronto was HHW town but by the eighties many skilled plumbing&heating guys were uncomfortable. They had no trouble with gas piping but the hot water pipes were assigned to old timers.

Jamie Hall

Soft copper might work, @jumper . Might not, too. The problem which I see with it -- and I don't have the inclination to go look it up now! -- is that soft copper work hardens and then is subject to fatigue cracking if it continues to be cyclically stressed. What I don't have an answer to right now is just how many cycles at what level of stress will it take before it fails in fatigue. That, of course, is the main reason why one can't use it for brake lines, of course, and shouldn't use it for fuel lines either (although people do...). I suppose if the bends were of large enough radius relative to the pipe -- say a radius of 10 times the pipe diameter, or more -- it might not be a problem. Interesting thought.

Phil53

My one pipe HW system uses soft copper run outs and returns. House built in 1961 no problems with pipe failure although I've had one joint fail in the last 10 years

jumper

Phil53 said:

My one pipe HW system uses soft copper run outs and returns. House built in 1961 no problems with pipe failure although I've had one joint fail in the last 10 years

What sort of connections?