Steam System Repiping (gordon & Steamhead)

Steamhead (in transit)

but here's the story:

The owner wanted to finish off the front of this rowhouse basement and called someone to move the water, gas and steam pipes. The steam is a small one-pipe system with a single 2-inch main that runs from the boiler in the back, all the way to the front of the house where it dripped into a wet return. This "contractor" piped the steam in copper and paid no attention to pitch. You could hear the banging all up and down the block.

HO did the demo himself. Each time he cut the copper with the Sawzall, water came pouring out. Enough said. Oh yes, there was no main vent either.

Gordon and I installed new black steel mains. To avoid the pipe hanging so low, we moved the drip point to the center of the main. The last 20 feet or so are now counterflow, feeding three small radiators. We included a dirt pocket at the drip. I bet some inspector looks at that and thinks it's a gas pipe ;-) . The main now has a Gorton #2 vent at the end of the counterflow portion.

The new wet return runs under the floor where it passes the new doorway. We left a drain plug in the hole for flushing and draining. The Hartford Loop had to come in at an angle to clear the drain on the boiler. Combustion test showed about 78% combustion efficiency with no CO.

We also repiped a knuckleheaded radiator where the installer reduced the 1-inch pipe to go into an existing 1/2-inch bushing, and put the vent on the wrong end.

We started the system today, and it heated perfectly. HO will insulate the pipes. We'll probably replace the boiler next year- note to Burnham: HO likes the idea of a Mega-Steam with a gas gun.....

I love this business!

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David Sutton_6

Wow! thats a great job

What great opertunity to do some great piping ,i like how you split it, and the fitting clean and neat...Nice job guys!!!



David