Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

union and flex pipe on main steam line

sz9
sz9 Member Posts: 25
in Strictly Steam

thoughts on installing a union on the main 2 inch line and a flex hose to the radiator. one pipe steam system

Mad Dog_2

Comments

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,433

    Are the union on the main 2" line and the flex hose related in some way I'm not understanding?

    The answer to the flex hose question is almost certainly "don't do it" but out of curiosity, what material is the hose?

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,157

    I was wondering if you might be interested in some steel tubing to use as tires instead of those rubber ones you have now. They would last longer then the rubber ones for sure.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Mad Dog_2SuperTech
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,433

    Now Ed…

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    delcrossvEdTheHeaterManSuperTech
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,241

    Well they do call them "radiator hoses". On a car….

    🤣

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    ethicalpaulPC7060SuperTech
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,804

    Have you priced out a steam rated flex line in the appropriate size?

    I only ask because one of our steam test labs has a flex line (much more than 2") and that material is a lot of money. I'd speculate more than paying a professional to pipe it in black for you.

    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    EdTheHeaterMan
  • sz9
    sz9 Member Posts: 25

    all joking aside. need to relocate a first floor radiator by about 6 inches. . as far as the flex hose i was talking about a stainless braided hose recommended for high heat and pressure.

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,241

    Joking aside, why go to hose? Just put a nipple and/or a straight radiator valve on it.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    ethicalpaulIronmanMad Dog_2SuperTech
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,514
    edited October 29
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1816943#Comment_1816943

    If it’s braided, then the interior is most likely rubber and I would not use that on steam. It’s also gonna be a smaller ID.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,296

    My thoughts are do the job the right way or you will have a mess on the coldest Friday night of the year when there's nowhere open to buy the parts needed to cap the leak the Chinese hose causes.

    IronmandelcrossvMad Dog_2SuperTech
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,283

    As @KC_Jones mentioned you can get steam rated hose but the $$$$$ will make it not worthwhile.

  • sz9
    sz9 Member Posts: 25

    ok. thanks for the advise, was just a thought. i will re pipe with black iron. safe and reliable.

    delcrossvSuperTechIronman
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,384

    Abbatoir sterilises with steam. Presumably hoses?

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,157

    And the steel pipe will not sag and leave a pocket or trap for condensation to lay there causing other problems.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Ironman
  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 895
    edited October 31

    I have seen stainless steel braided hoses used on high pressure steam kettles. They even had quick connects on the ends so the staff could swap kettles the size of a Ford refrigerator (yes, that Ford) in a hurry.

    However in your case, I also recommend steel pipe and cast iron fittings. I think ss steam rated hose would work if only used vertically. If used horizontally, would likely sag and cause banging.

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,472

    Most times, you waste more time taking "shortcuts" and Gerry-Rigging things. Bite the bullet now, and put it behind you for life. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    STEAM DOCTORIronmanBobCdelcrossv
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,160

    For the record, black fittings will work fine as well. Don't necessarily need cast iron fittings. But of course everyone has their preference.

Categories