Steam Pipe Corrosion

David Feron

I am a consulting engineer in the Washington, DC area, helping a group sort through the replacement or repair of apparently corroded steam and return risers for the radiators in a 1915 7-story condo.

Just getting into it, but it looks like the returns for the radiators are embedded in the exterior wall assembly. Some sections of pipe pulled out near radiators are severely corroded paper thin. . . . never seen a pipe this corroded that wasn't laying in the back yard for 20 years.

Ever encountered the need to replace steam risers due to corrosion? Do you know of any resources for replacement of piping with minimal disruption to living spaces?

Needless to say, others have proposed scraping the steam system for forced air heat pumps . . . but this would be a huge energy and piping installation cost. Cutting into the walls of this 1st class building would also be a huge undertaking and some of the interior finishes could probably never be duplicated today.

Any insights would be appreciated.

Check out the photos.

Thank you.

Tony Conner

Hey Steamhead...

...this one sounds like it's right up your alley, and pretty much in your backyard!

Mad Dog

Forget Scorched air

your most economical solution is to repipe and if you have to box them in to avoid huge ripouts of walls and ceilings. An ace carpenter can make soffits and gazintas look like they belong. Are you Dave Ferron of Floral Park NY...one of my old drinking buddies????? Matt Mad Dog Sweeney

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Geno_15

Stick with steam

if you can. Yeah, the condensate will rot. It gets wet. Nice pipes, looks like you've got some asbestos too. Not being able to see the building makes it tough. Were the pipes in the corners? You are going to need some top notch tech's and carpenters. remember tyou get what you pay for. Good Luck.

Steamhead

Dave, I've never seen them that bad

but it looks to me like the corrosion occurred from the outside. Possibly they were buried in concrete made with cinders?

If this is not the case, you probably have an "acid condensate" problem. The usual cause is poor air venting, which is pretty easy to fix.

At any rate, heat pumps are definitely NOT the way to go here. The Dead Men designed that system for comfort- respect them.

Tony, you're right that this project is not far from Baltimore- and I thank you for the thought- but Wayco Wayne and Dan Foley are much closer. As much as I'd like to work on this I think it's better that Dave start and maintain a relationship with a local steam contractor. Both Wayne and Dan know I'll be available to consult if needed.

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John@Reliable_4

Dave, maybe more problems?

Looks to me that pipe may have rotten from outside in. I see allot of rust on these pipes you posted. Could be water leaking in thru walls maybe,or leaks at raditor unions finding it's way to bottom pipes? Good luck I think you might need it. John@Reliable

Unknown

Thats what I thought also

Kinda looks like they rotted from the outside . Maybe it was the unions or packing nuts in the shutoff valves leaking on the pipe over time . I never seen them that bad though - it woulda been one hell of a leak to do that kind of damage . Are the rotted pipes showing up in just one place - directly under the radiators ?