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Rusted out steam lines in concrete slab, excavation vs. moving the radiator?

Hi,
We have a church built in 1904 with a some 2-pipe radiators. One of the radiators is located in the rear of the church. The existing (and rusted out) steam and condensate line run under a six-inch old concrete slab with 1 (or 2) inch marble tile floor over top. I estimate about 20 feet of line.

I have spent a few hours trying to "tunnel" under the slab from the church basement. I did not make much progress and I do not think that is a viable option.

I used a concrete saw and a demo hammer to remove a section of the marble floor and concrete slab. While doable, it's going to be a lot of effort to do this for 20 feet. It will also ruin a significant portion of a beautiful 100+ year old floor of marble.

Another option is to move the radiator a few feet where underneath the radiator is not slab on grade. Just the rear 6 feet of the church is a slab on earth/grade, but if I move the radiator a few feet, it's just a suspended concrete slab, and I can easily run steam/condensate lines (well easier than excavation!)

Moving the radiator is the easier option, but I am loathe to move something that the "dead men" installed. I am looking for the right choice/option, not necessarily the easy option.

What would you do?

Thank you!

I did a movie of the whole thing if you want to see it in video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDBWZtJq2k0


Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,380
    Moving it to the spot under the window should work, as long as you can get enough pitch on the pipes.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    JUGHNE
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,274
    That looks to be a storage room for the kitchen, so placement may not be critical.
    Also you have maybe 3 compressors in there and maybe a good door.
    Things they did not have in 1904.
    PC7060
  • rhodebump
    rhodebump Member Posts: 152
    JUGHNE said:

    That looks to be a storage room for the kitchen, so placement may not be critical.
    Also you have maybe 3 compressors in there and maybe a good door.
    Things they did not have in 1904.

    I did not think of that!
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,848
    As they say -- move the radiator. Just do make sure the pitch on the lines is correct.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • rhodebump
    rhodebump Member Posts: 152
    Thank you everyone!

    One last question. The old radiator location used a dedicated branch from the boiler (not the main). The steam line looks to be 1.5 inches.

    Where I am re-locating the radiator, there is already a set of lines (they are capped, no rad) They are about 1 inch diameter, and at the end of the main (at the end of around 210 foot run of main).

    I am nervous because I worry there would enough steam left at the end of the run, but perhaps it doesn't work that way.

    Would you use the existing lines, or run a line from the boiler near piping (already have 2 inch plug ready to remove)

    Thanks.
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,443
    Following up on @JUGHNE comment; what’s the temp of the room without the rad on the coldest day? Do you need the radiator given the heat produced  by the refrigerators?
  • rhodebump
    rhodebump Member Posts: 152
    PC7060 said:

    Following up on @JUGHNE comment; what’s the temp of the room without the rad on the coldest day? Do you need the radiator given the heat produced  by the refrigerators?

    It's about 60 degrees on a cold day, even with the refrigerators running.