Frozen Baseboard

garfieldsimons

Company moving to new building, but the heat has been off and nobody drained the system. The first floor baseboard was run through the concrete and I assume will be full of leaks. The second floor baseboards have blown out solder joints. (Not even mentiioning the bathroom water lines.)
The first question I have is it a problem to replace the first floor zone baseboards with two unit heaters? Basically just 2 open rooms.
Question 2- what are the chances the boiler is blown apart.? Have not had a chance to put some air pressure in it yet.

Steamhead

This is, to put it mildly, a can of worms.

You'll need to pressurize every part of the system. I prefer to use water rather than air since leaks will be easier to see.

What is the first-floor room used for, that you want to put unit heaters in?

Jamie Hall

Yes, water. Not only is it easier to see, but if something breaks -- which in your case is likely, assuming you can get any pressure on it at all -- it won't go far. With even medium pressure air behind it, it would become shrapnel, which can ruin your whole day.

STEVEusaPA

Got any pictures of 'blown out solder joints'? Never seen one, but I’ve seen plenty of copper split by freezing.

mattmia2

I've seen a cap pushed right off the end of an air chamber.

JUGHNE

Is it possible to isolate the boiler with valves to just check that out for leaks.?

hot_rod

tough call, if you test with water have some wet vacs ready to go. The water can add insult to injury.

PerryHolzman

How is it that your company agreed to move into a building with a substantially damaged heating system. While it may be repairable - it will not be cheap; and you may need to replace the entire thing (and redo the walls and floors in the process).

If I was planning on this I'd plan on a 100% new system and assume that nothing could be reused. Now maybe the radiators can be reused (if they did not crack). But a total solid freeze of the system indicates likely major replacement of the entire system.

EdTheHeaterMan

Warm air system with AC?
Rooftop units with single-floor buildings
Just an economical thought, since we agree that the entire system may need to be replaced. Why spend any $ at all on the boiler?

garfieldsimons

Well now pretty sure there is a Big ice cube in water heater. Pulled it out (very heavy) and has been dripping all day. At that rate will be defrosted by March. No info yet on boiler.
Unit heaters would be for 1k sq ft. area. Not offices.

The building (steel frame-about 7k sq feet) was a good price and way cheaper in long run then the rent currently paid. Main area has gas radient heaters on ceiling. They should be fine. Base board heats only about 2- 1k sq. ft. floors.

Business is holding on by shoe string; a very worn shoe string. Sheet metal shop making percusion musical instruments. Every dime matters now.

Thanks for all your inputs.

mattmia2

If the boiler or a significant part of the piping is trashed you could just hang a couple gas direct vent unit heaters.