One Pipe Steam in Copper?

John Madden

Has anyone come across a one pipe steam system done in copper tubing with soldered joints? I did the other day. The near boiler piping is not done the way it should be, and the mains are not insulated. I have more particulars to get when I have a minute to visit the jobsite. If I correct near boiler piping, can I safely insulate the mains without fear of mellting soldered joints. The system is old enough I suspect all joints are made with 50/50 solder. Owners complaint is that unit "floods"and from what has been described to me I don't doubt for a moment that this is true.

Mad Dog

i wouldn't worry about melting the joints JR,

but they will eventually leak from the ongoing ex[pansion and contraction wars. As a newcomer here, you probably don't realize that copper does not belong in a steam system at - but is at least tolerable on wet returns. Give him a price to repipe in black pipe. The flooding is another issue,. Mad Dog

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