copper piping - ho

colm

We've recently bought a c1900 home with a one pipe, gas, steam heaing system.
During some on going work, the plumber moved one of the radiators.
I just noticed that the new piping is copper.
The radiator in question is a small radiator on the 3rd floor. Unfortunatly the sheet rock went back up before I saw this. The new copper pipe must have one right angle turn to return to the original iron pipe which was shortened. I'd guess it's about 5 feet at maximum.
My reading of Dan's books and here suggests that copper with steam is bad news and that leaks are almost inevitable. How serious is this problem ? I'm reluctant to annoy the plumber unnecssarily as he's been great todate and I'll eat the cost if necessary ... but the notion of sitting on a problem "waiting to happen" is not attractive either. What if anything should I ask the plumber ?
Thanks ...

Craig_8

personally i would never use copper on a steam system. HOWEVER, i have seen plenty of copper on steam systems and never seen a leak. the problem is the expansion and contraction of the copper can cause the solder joints to crack.