ridgid propress and steam

Fred P

I was checking out the ridgid propress website and I saw a few praises on the wall for this product...looks like a real timesaver

So I was thinking, you know how you are never supposed to use copper above the boiler water line because of the twisting and soldered joints coming apart??

I wonder how a copper header would hold up using the propress system. The website says they go up to 4" fittings. Theres no soldering, I wonder if the crimped connections would crack or give out under pressure after a few weeks/years??

Im sure sooner or later we will see a picture of one put up by a HO..

Sounds like it could be a fun expirement if you had the time and place for it.

P. Smith

propress

I'm not sure about under steam but I used the propress for the copper piping i used for my air compresser in the garage. The pipes have bene in this way for about a year and a half and the air presure going through them are usually kept at a constant 60 psi 24 hours a day, going up to 90psi depending on tools im using. So I guess it should hold up to 15psi
Mark

Fred P

yeah but isnt steam at 215 degrees

Any other opinions on this?

Mark Eatherton1

I think...

the O ring might have some issues at that sustained temperature.

ME

Paul_11

How long will a copper steam header last

Now just to be clear I have never, nor would I ever install a copper steam header. Whenever I see them I submit an extimate to replace it with steel pipe and cast iron fittings. However, I don't always get the job.

I know of one in particular that I first ran into about 7 or 8 years ago. I remember telling the owner how bad it was and how it would fall apart.
He decided against fixing it.

Now everytime I happen to be in his basement I feel this copper header mocking me as it continues to not fall apart.

So I ask you all. What is the oldest copper header that anyone knows about?
Why would some fall apart and others not?

If it doesn't fall apart and there is no banging in the building, what would the owner gain by replacing it?

Paul Shay




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Fred P

maybe its the brand of boiler that

affects whether or not the copper will fall apart? Like quality of steam, size/shape of steam chest, etc etc. Seems to me that all things being equal (which theyre not) all the copper headers should fall apart.

Whats next? A copper drop header?? Now that would be something!

Unknown

I saw one a few months back

that was in for 30+ years with a copper header and some copper mains at the end of the run . I asked the homeowner if there were any leaks at the copper and he said no , none at all .

I think alot of it has to do with what type of solder was used and how well the joint was made . Back then there was a very good chance of the solder being 50/50 , which aint too good for steam . I've also seen DWV copper on headers , and that won't last as long as type L .

If a system is running fine and the copper looks like it's in good shape , I don't see a benefit to change it to black steel .

Steamhead

The worst copper headers I've seen

were all on boilers that needed two risers to the header. The expansion and contraction of the boiler sections put a lot of strain on the sweat joints, cracking them.

Leaks are less common where only one riser to the header is used. Of course, when I see one of these I like to ascertain if the boiler really needs two or more risers.

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