Steam pipes drop too low in the basement

Ryan Condon

I have a home that was built in 1928. We have steam heat on the first and second floors. We would really like to finish the basement, but the darn steam pipes take an 88" high basement ceiling and drop it an additional 6-12" with slant included in some areas. I have considered removing the steam system and replacing with Forced air, but that sounds costly. I am indiferrent to the heating system, as I have lived with both types. I would like the basement to have a professional looking drywall ceiling and having the pipes sticking out is not an option.

Can I repipe with smaller diameter up in the joices? What would a change to forced air cost. Would ducts still be protruding from th ceiling?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Ryan

Rodney Summers

There are two ways to reduce

head banging and get what's needed. Repipe the main completely and drop the basement floor.

We were involved in just that project nearby. The guy had a mason come in, dig the floor out 18" where we put radiant heat in the new slab and left the steam as originally designed, but raised up all the mains 8 to 12". The boiler was gas steam with a tankless heater dedicated to the radiant basement zone. The soffit hid the pipes and the basement became the best room in the house!

It was not cheap; but it sure was beautiful and comfy.

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Steamhead

It is also possible

according to one of my Dead Men's Books, to run the main perfectly level. To do this without water accumulating in the main, have your contractor take the radiator branches off the bottom of the main and drip each one into the wet return. With this configuration the main can be installed right up against the joists.

You do not want to reduce the pipe sizes anywhere in the system. If you do you'll end up with uneven heat and banging. And be sure to leave access for main vents and other moving parts to be replaced.

And I doubt you'd be "indifferent" to the type of heating system in your house if you saw what the inside of a duct looks like after a few years. You'd see stuff there from the birth of the universe. Steam is a great system- keep yours.