rusted collar unconnected - not a professional

2244BPE

Hi, we live in a co-op building in NYC built in 1956 with classic 2.5" floor to ceiling steam pipes in the bathrooms. We'd had what I thought was a messy join to the ceiling with caulk, but when I stripped it, it's a rusty collar that doesn't seem to connect to anything - the pipe wiggles and squeaks in the socket when pushed - and the collar is smashed on one side.

I would love to remove this and either have a clean seam at the ceiling or use a concentric reducer to cover the join, but I don't know what this piece is and if it can safely be removed.

We don't have control over the steam pipe being on or off until after the weather goes above 55 degrees or April 15th.

Any guidance I can get would be very helpful. Thanks.

Ironman

Since you're not even sure what it's connected to, and it's 2-1/2", I'd recommend that you call a pro.

Try the contractor locator above.

Mad Dog_2

The Johnny NY with Gateway P & H.. they're very good and in the neighborhood. Mad

pecmsg

Thats part of the building so the CoOp board should deal with it!

mattmia2

That kind of looks like the end of a piece of aircell asbestos insulation on the pipe above there compressed against a joist so I'd be careful about what I picked at up there.

2244BPE

Thanks for the help. I spoke to the super and his (always helpful) comment was "you're having the bathroom ceiling redone, right? Let them handle it." So thank you for the recommendations if they are lost too. Also, I'm on the co-op board.

hot_rod

there may need to be a fire stop product used also?

bburd

That collar is designed to allow the pipe to move from thermal expansion and contraction as it heats and cools, so whatever you do must allow for that movement or it will crack on the first heating cycle. That is why those are generally not caulked, the movement is too significant.