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Posted by Fred on May 28, 2006 at 20:53:17:
In Reply to: copper piping in steam system posted by Jenn on March 12, 2006 at 07:26:19:
: We recently had our kitchen remodeled. We have a steam heat system - when our contractor had to reroute one of the black pipes that was a part of that heating system, he replaced it with a soldered copper pipe. We have heard from several professionals since that copper piping should never be used in steam heat systems. In fact, our boiler manual (Weil-Mclain) specifies that only black piping should be used. We are very afraid - and have been advised by other respected plumbers, that almost assuredly that pipe will leak within a couple of years, potentially causing us great expense and trouble. Should we change out the pipe?
Copper pipe expands and contracts more readily than iron and is not as strong. Steam is a gas, it expands much more than water. Steam puts a lot of stress on the copper. You may also have a problem with galvanic corrrosion where it meets the iron or steel. When this happens the joints will start to leak.