Steam Pipes - Galvanized or Black Iron

thfurnitureguy_4

Just an observation of 80 year old black iron steam pipes. Had the chance to see the inside of my steam mains and risers in 2 diferent locations of my building. The main steam pipes were as clean as a new piece of pipe. With just a light skim of surface rust on the inside. No build up of chunky rust at all!. The returns have been replaced at least 3 times (judging by the pipe left behind in the crawl space) These returns were burried in dirt (often wet) and had no way to flush them. The return piping near the boiler was in much worse shape than further away. This is also where the water feed is. The origional Return by the main vent are disconected and still hanging. They had some corosion I believe they plugged up rather then rusted through. None of the replaced pipes left behind had rusted through. So my assumtion is the new water is causing O2 corrosion in the returns near the feed. It would appear that a tight system, that has the ability to be flushed, will go a long time with black iron pipe. Leaks and new water are BAD. I would not worry about using black iron for your steam mains and risers.

Unknown

Steam pipes - Galvanized or black iron

What kind of pipe should be used for steam mains and returns - galvanized or black iron? Or does it matter?

Robert O'Connor_12

geoff

Yes it matters. Use black iron.

Robert O'Connor/NJ