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Want to Replace Steam Radiators and Pipes with new Steam Wall Radiators

URCC
URCC Member Posts: 2
We have a 100 year old church, where the steam pipes (some of which are buried in cement floor) are leaking. We get one fixed, and another leaks, etc. Not to mention the radiators throw very little heat. We would like to replace the existing with new radiators and piping perhaps something that is installed on the wall. Does anyone know of contractors that are "steam knowledgeable" in the Boston area? Any help would be appreciated.

Comments

  • Zipper13
    Zipper13 Member Posts: 229
    edited February 2019
    No personal experience, but I've heard good things of New England Steamworks out of Providence I think. I've had Daniel E. Cadotte Plumbing and Heating on the north shore clean my residential steam boiler and liked him. I believe he does installs and repiping too.
    New owner of a 1920s home with steam heat north of Boston.
    Just trying to learn what I can do myself and what I just shouldn't touch
    URCC
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,168
    Talk to Ryan at @New England SteamWorks . Absolutely top notch, works the Boston area all the time.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    delta T
  • gfrbrookline
    gfrbrookline Member Posts: 753
    @New England SteamWorks was at my place on Wednesday. Can't say enough good things about their work. I recommend them to all my neighboring condo associations. My system has never worked better.
    New England SteamWorks
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    edited February 2019
    Agree, @New England SteamWorks is your man! He may tell you to save some money and not replace the existing radiators because, there may be are other issues that keep them from putting out heat. Whatever it is, he can fix it.
    New England SteamWorks
  • I agree with the above, and especially Fred.
    I am sure the radiators and system need some TLC, and can work better than ever with his attention.—NBC
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Radiators do not wear out until they leak, IMO.
    Same with steam mains....unless buried in concrete.

    New England Steamworks would be your gain :) ...……….
    ......but the rest of us don't get to ask for pictures to ogle over :'(
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    These:
    Zipper13 said:

    No personal experience, but I've heard good things of New England Steamworks out of Providence I think. I've had Daniel E. Cadotte Plumbing and Heating on the north shore clean my residential steam boiler and liked him. I believe he does installs and repiping too.

    Talk to Ryan at @New England SteamWorks . Absolutely top notch, works the Boston area all the time.

    @New England SteamWorks was at my place on Wednesday. Can't say enough good things about their work. I recommend them to all my neighboring condo associations. My system has never worked better.

    Fred said:

    Agree, @New England SteamWorks is your man! He may tell you to save some money and not replace the existing radiators because, there may be are other issues that keep them from putting out heat. Whatever it is, he can fix it.

    JUGHNE said:

    Radiators do not wear out until they leak, IMO.
    Same with steam mains....unless buried in concrete.

    New England Steamworks would be your gain :) ...……….
    ......but the rest of us don't get to ask for pictures to ogle over :'(

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • URCC
    URCC Member Posts: 2
    Thanks everyone for your advise. I have people wanting to replace with gas systems, you name it...all are getting expensive. I just want to replace the pipes that keep leaking in the church with something newer.
  • Can you describe which pipes these are?
    There are so few techs now who can be bothered to analyze a system and it’s problems in order to find a solution!
    Did you mention your location?
    Luckily the right ones are on this site, giving their free advice, in order to be helpful.—NBC
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,168
    URCC said:

    Thanks everyone for your advise. I have people wanting to replace with gas systems, you name it...all are getting expensive. I just want to replace the pipes that keep leaking in the church with something newer.

    If it's just replacing leaking pipes... no need to replace anything else (you mentioned radiators in the subject, for instance), I still think @New England SteamWorks would be a good resource. That particular job really isn't that hard for someone who actually isn't afraid to thread iron pipe -- although sometimes it does require care to maintain proper sizes and pitches.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • The church is built on a slab, with the 3" main buried in concrete under the raised pulpit and floor. It's under-radiated, but the main issue is that the main(s) need to be jack hammered up and replaced. The boiler died a premature death from all the freshwater. Vents and traps need help.

    All in a day's work...



    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • gfrbrookline
    gfrbrookline Member Posts: 753
    Another job well done by a reincarnated dead man of steam!