Relocate steam riser
Hi
Working on a condo apt remodeling second floor of a 6 store building where we decided to make the new toilet we have two steam risers I know that moving a steam riser could cause a lot of problems is there a way to do it properly and make the home owner happy because otherwise he will have steambath
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It doesn't have to be a problem or give trouble — if you keep firmly in mind that the condensate water has to be able to drain freely.
This means that any horizontal offset — no matter how short — absolutely must have pitch to drain, and a quarter inch per foot is the least I would use.
Why is this a problem? Because when you make a horizontal offset, you are going from a vertical pipe to a horizontal one and then back to vertical. That horizontal section … has to have pitch, and if you use simple 90 degree elbows to go from vertical to horizontal, or back, you will have no pitch on that horizontal. Mush better to use a 90 from say vertical to horizontal, then a short nipple, then another 90 from the horizontal nipple to the offset line, which you can then pitch just as you want. Then do the same thing at the other end.
For a very short offset — a few inches — this isn't really necessary, but for anything much longer you need it.
Unless the riser size is ample, you also need to make sure that the horizontal (sort of) bit is big enough. This is usually not a problem with two pipe systems, but can be a problem with one pipe systems or if the feed riser in a two pipe system serves several radiators and is marginal. There are tables in The Lost Art which give the required pipe sizes.
Br. Jamie, osb
Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England0 -
Those risers are for heating the upper floors . It can be done if they want to pay for repiping the system back down to the basement. With permission from the condos above and below plus the condo board …..
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??? Why? You can just use unions.
Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.0 -
Connecting pipe is not the problem .. You need to maintain a dry supply…. 45's or drip lines if 90's . Four floors of iron above and two below… The other issue is dealing with other owners in the building.
For a toilet location ….
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Toilets are important.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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OP doesn't say where he is, but I think it might be the UK, in which case, "toilet" means the entire room, not just the porcelain throne as in North America.
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I agree :)
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If this was a single family house or full building renovation, then the options are open. But since this is an occupied condo complex, those pipes are feeding other units. Inside of an old building like this, it’s best to leave well enough alone. You start moving original piping, then that may start throwing other things off (that may include fixes made over the years that you can’t immediately see) and now the whole building is pissed.
Leave them as is and move the toilet somewhere else. It’s a reality living in shared spaces. It’s why personally, condo/apartment living isn’t for me. And yes, I’m aware not every area is setup for single family homes. There are trade offs with any housing option. You could be setting yourself up for a world of trouble trying to move pipes so a client can add new toilet.
-Willie
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Nonsence. Just move it according to the first post.
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I am an officer and member of a COOP board for 42 years and have communicated with other COOPs and Condos over the years. I am also an engineer. This type of alteration always requires the approval of the board and notification of the affected owners. Further, some type of due diligence statement from a consultant for the board to cover itself legally. I would advise that you follow the advice given by TheUpNorthstate88. This is more of a legal issue than steam heating practice. There is a lot that could go wrong.
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The term "condo" isn't really used outside of the USA/NA, but I can tell that's American construction (the p stack would be bigger in the UK - and outside) but the real tell tale sign is the double-hung windows and the NYC standard issue child grate on the window. Plus steam is very rare in Europe and most UK flats have their own boiler for hot water heat.
This; as a co-op resident and former board member I agree with ARobertson13 and TheUpNorthstate88 that the board really needs to approve it. We have made it clear that steam risers are NOT TO BE MOVED in our building - this is for the protection of the unit owner, the building and other residents.
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So who's responsible for the structure that was hacked away a century ago? Is that lead waste in the floor?
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As for who is responsible, that is something covered in the lease. I should not go any further. I don't want the administrator to sight me twice in two months for going off topic.
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I am President of our condo board, not only would this require board approval since the pipes are considered common elements and therefore property of the board. We have run into this situation and require that the changes be done by the board approved steam contractor. And yes, I found them from this forum .
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