PVC wet return pipe?

Brad White_9

I have no idea how one would now what the temperature would be all of the time, how that could be guaranteed. Why take a chance and what possible savings is worth losing sleep over what could be a system properly done that would outlast you? Besides, I doubt local code would permit it. Just not a safe practice and it could easily exceed pressure and temperature ratings of the material.

Why not run the return in Schedule 80 steel or Type L copper but insulate it and place it above the floor and, ok, in a PVC outer conduit if you are worried about acid corrosion from the coal.

You don't by any chance wear an orange apron at work, do you :)


Cheers!

Brad

T. Riley

Use PVC for wet return?

A 15 foot section of pipe runs through what used to be an old coal bin that frequently had some water laying in it due to basement wall leaks. As a result the pipe rusted through from the outside. I,d like to replace it with PVC. The return line never gets any warmer than approx. room temp. Can anyone see anything wrong with this? Thanks.

T. Riley

(1)It was a coal bin at one time - no longer. (2) Yes, in 15 years of living here the pipe has never gotten more than room temp. (3)The system operates on less than a half pound of pressure.

Brad White_9

I still would not do it

Just not good practice nor to code. All parts associated with the boiler have to meet ASME for the duty. I am all for saving a buck but not here.

If this were open atmospheric waste after a cool-down controlled device that is one thing. I could not advise you any other way.

My $0.02

Brad

marc friedman

Hmmmmnnnn.....

some plastic pipe, 'an a can-o-glue ....

yea .. homeowner question...

hire somebody to do it right

JohnNY

This is a terrible idea.

Why would you waste money on costly PVC pipe when you could easily cut the ends off a garden hose and duct tape it to the good sections of old steel pipe?



Yes, I'm kidding. Please do not use PVC or garden hose anywhere on your steam heating system.

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Cosmo_3

reminds me

Went on a service call for a clogged drain line. Customer used a paper towel cardboard roll (what's left when the towels are used up), and he used a fiber glass pipe repair kit over the cardboard to seal things.

Next day the cardboard inside must have loosened up and clogged the house trap..... that's when the guy called me about the black water all over his light tan basement carpet. AAAAAAAA!!!

Cosmo