Breaking old steam pipes apart?

Plumdog_2

Like the man says. Hold a BIG hammer on one side of the fitting, and smack it a good one with a medium size hammer on the opposite side. Should crack.

Casinojunkie

How or what do you use to break apart steam pipes and fittings? This a one pipe system.
These are 2" and 1 1/2" pipes that have been on this system since new [early 1900's].
I wish to replace the main vents, but would like to move them, they are now at the ell that drops vertically back to boiler.
Thank you

tim smith

removing old fittings

We use a metal cutoff wheel on our small hand grinder and cut the fitting part way through and the crack the fitting off as long as it is cast iron. Even with malleable you can do this but it won't crack off but at least you can get it to split some and then wrench it off. Good luck, Tim.

Tim Gardner

If you are really lucky and if there is a union nearby, you can unscrew them with a couple big pipe wrenches. If the fittings are cast iron you can break the fittings with a sledge hammer. You can cut the pipe with a hacksaw or sawzall. But that's the easy part. Somewhere you have to be able to connect to good threads or else be able to thread the pipe where you cut it.

I loaned someone my copy of The Lost Art of Steam Heating. My main vents are on the ells to the return also. I remember reading that this was wrong, but what was the reason that this is a bad idea?

Unknown

Tim Gardner..........

like you said, If you are "lucky enough" to find a union. The "Dead-Men" didn`t use them much, but if there is, try using 2 hammers first, big ones, hold 1 on the opposite side of the union nut, like a "dolly", then give a good sharp blow to the opposing side, if you have the room, work your way around-it first, then try the wrenches. This may save you a little "arm-torture" on these old unions.

kevin coppinger_4

why don't you....

save yourself a lot of aggrivation and drill and tap in for the main vents into the pipe...a hole saw and tap. then teflon up a nipple and add your vent. kpc

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Tim Gardner

Here's the link about venting the mains:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=165

Casinojunkie

Cleaning boiler

My boiler is also very dirty inside.
I have no instructions on cleaning this old American Standard boiler. Any advice is appreciated.
The boiler short cycles, runs but does not creat steam, and the water in the sight glass bounces up and down about 1". Sight glass is also dirty.

Casinojunkie

Hi Plumdog,
You state that the fitting should crack when hit by two hammers from opposite sides.
Do you mean split or just release the rusted connection?

Scott04

Better yet...Hire someone who knows what they're doing! Yes, you may be able to put the vents in yourself, but if you need information on how to clean the boiler, what you really need is a pro! And since they'll be there anyway, why not just let them take care of the vents as well?

Scott

Plumdog_2

it will break!

Not just loosen up; it will break apart in pieces! Then use a chisel to remove the pieces. Put on some safety glasses first. You can do this at any fitting, like an ell. This is just a fast way to dissasemble in a pinch.