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Busting leaks & rubber on the rocks

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John_21
John_21 Member Posts: 34
in THE MAIN WALL
If it is not one thing it is another that will do you in. John

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  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,200
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    Leak Busters to the rescue again. Woody was able to locate a small leak in this 12 year old system. Using Helliun, orthascopes and a combo of nitrogen and water to pinpoint the leak.

    Turns out injecting nitrogen and a small flow of water will create a gurgling, popping sound. Similar to squeezing a garden hose off. Cavatation. This sound is easily picked you with the sensitive listening equipment.

    The bad news is the condition of the tube. Looks almost like an insect penetration, in spots. Also the concrete attached to the tube and pulls chunks of the tube when you try to remove it.

    Woody the leak buster worked in Hawaii for 8 years. Fairly common over there was termite attacks. They would bore holes in the flexible PVC lines that were run from the swimming pool skimmers to the pump. The bugs would bore very tiny holes to nurse water from the pipe. After enough of these tiny holes the pool pumps would start to suck enough air to cavatite them. He never did see these holes in the rigid PVC lines, only the soft flexible PVC stuff. Weird!

    Now to break the news to these homeowners that just purchased this home.

    hot rod

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Bob Cat_3
    Bob Cat_3 Member Posts: 8
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    In the pictures what type of pipe is that?
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,200
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    It's Entran 3

    Onix. One of GY's last attempts to make it right :(

    hot rod

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Troy_3
    Troy_3 Member Posts: 479
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    Yah Rubber

    Ya gotta love that rubber. It's more flexible! and twice the price. And guarenteed, if you could find someone to stand behind it. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!
  • Bill NTSG
    Bill NTSG Member Posts: 321
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    Oh Boy!

    I've got almost 2 miles of it in this house!
  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928
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    Any chance...

    ...that the system was repeatedly operated at very high temperature--like deep setback and a supply temp set too high to compensate?
  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,884
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    insect ?

    That dos'nt look like the work of insects to me.

    So you think this is tube failure ? Is it brittle like the poor batches of rubber house ? If so how can you repair it ?

    What are you going to suggest to the new owners ?

    What a shame, another black eye for radiant.

    Scott

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Alan(CaliforniaRadiant)Forbes
    Alan(CaliforniaRadiant)Forbes Member Posts: 1,243
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    Do the owners

    have any kind of a home warranty plan; here in CA, it is required that they are offered a one year plan....and it's usually not that expensive.

    I tell my customers who have older homes to keep on renewing the plan becuase it's cheap insurance.

    The downside to home warranty plans is that the technicians they send out don't have much experience in plumbing or radiant.

    Thanks for the pictures, hr.

    All the best,

    Alan

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
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