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Rusted out steam lines in concrete slab, excavation vs. moving the radiator?
rhodebump
Member Posts: 152
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
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
0
Comments
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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
Consulting1 -
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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 England0 -
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.
0
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