What material pipe to use

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tjdumez
tjdumez Posts: 13
in Strictly Steam

What material pipe is correct here so it doesn’t do this again?

IMG_0074.jpeg IMG_0198.jpeg

Comments

  • tjdumez
    tjdumez Posts: 13

    The pipes turned green from leaking?

    Mad Dog_2
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Posts: 9,076
    edited April 2025

    Well it sure didn't help. A dehumidifier would also help. Anyway brass is good but those ones are probably already brass.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Posts: 21,329

    It should be brass

    tjdumezMad Dog_2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,399
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1853005#Comment_1853005

    yes. probably the union.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,759

    I bet my boiler is a lot older. My M&M 67 LWCO and sight glass piping did not do that. However it does not leak. Brass pipe is typical in that application.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    tjdumez
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Posts: 17,763
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1853005#Comment_1853005

    What happens is water leaks out onto the hot surface of the pipe and evaporates. When it does it leaves minerals behind. It's turned it bluish green and increased it's size.

    Clean it up good with a wire wheel in a drill and see what you're working with and how to fix it.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    tjdumez
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Posts: 28,704

    The blue- green is sometimes referred to as a patina. You often see it on copper roofs.

    The white color is often calcium, or lime precipitated from the water as it is heated.

    I agree with a slight seep from that union causing this. It could be much worse if it was steel pipe.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    tjdumez
  • tjdumez
    tjdumez Posts: 13

    Thanks everyone for the input! I’ll get it cleaned up and get that leak fixed asap.

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