Thanks for the de-rail everyone. I enjoyed that. I need to fix this pipe and maybe replace other parts of my steam boiler system. I am not really sure where to start on this. Yes, I can replace the pipe myself (probably) but is this an indication of a larger issue where I should just replace the whole system? I do have a home warranty. Should I play dumb and see if I can get them to replace everything?
Worth a shot...look into a mini-split heat pump system...maybe they'd at least cut you a check that you could put toward it...heat pump gives you heat and AC...and mini split does it without having the expense of running ductwork...plus you can heat/cool individual areas and rooms of the house much easier too.
We aim to please… LoL… glad you didn’t mind. I like brenndatomu ’s idea, but I definitely would go the warranty avenue as well.
I wouldn't play dumb, I'd be reading the warranty carefully and be ready for a fight. Unless they already know that you have a steamer i think they chit when they find out. As far as replacing the pipe yourself just be aware that it can be a job that keeps on growing. Sometimes old pipe isn't strong enough to come apart but rather collapses and snaps off. So you go further and further....... And then you can loosen up crap that settles and plugs everything.
Yep, these are the type of jobs that keep growing as you find that stuff keeps breaking as you work on it.
Thanks all. Yeah, this has been looming in the back of my mind since we got the place a few years back. I can say that we got our monies worth out if the home warranty. That almost never happens. I will do some reading and see what the options are.
Does your utility company offer an energy audit with discount on a new heating system? We have steam radiators that have been converted to hydronic years ago. Maybe the majority can be kept and just the heating appliance and supply/returns get changed out.
Thanks you for this, it is very helpful! I didn't even know that hydronic systems existed. We have a pressure tank and a pump so there actually may already be one of these installed as well. I have been wondering about those pipes. There are different 'zones' in the house and I think that was installed after the steam boiler. An energy audit might be a good idea too. If nothing more, I might learn something about my existing system.
So the heating guys just came out and checked out the leak/rusted pipe. Turns out the system is from a hot water boiler, not a steam boiler as I previously thought. I asked if it was ok to combine pipe types and they said it was ok. So there is some sort of disconnect on that point. At this point, I will just let them do their job, no reason for me to interfere. They seemed competent in their understanding of the issue(s). They found another 5 leaks and are going to show me how to flush the system. They advised not even turning things on until the leaks are fixed. Thanks for the great advice everyone!
That makes more sense about the system being a hot water and not a steam boiler. Still, they are incorrect about the mixing of pipe materials like that. That's a no no.
Well, galvanized pipe costs a lot more, so that's one way to stop it.. Some codes( oh boy) don't allow mixing of pipe kinds like this. Definitely a no no to use galvanized anywhere in a natural gas line though.
Galvanized joined to black is not a problem as they are the same material. Iron joined to copper IS a issue. Thread galvanized and you no longer have galvanized threads. Systems that are being built up and painted are using whatever fittings they can get there hands on.
This is the water return line. They will be back in a few days so I will ask again on this point. I would rather have them fix everything on the home warranty's dime. I normally hate extra insurance and extended warranties but we got one "thrown in" by the seller when we bought the place 3 years ago. Holy cow has that been a good deal. They have done a lot of repair work for us and it looks like they are going to be on the hook for another issue.
