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Hello –
While I have the boiler shut down for eliminating several under-slab galvanized piping that developed leaks,
I am looking into replacing or adding convectors.
So far the only brand that can be ordered locally is ARGO.
I am getting a $8/ft quote.
Any other brands that comes to mind ?
Also, is it possible to buy the fins that can be fitted to copper pipes ?
We have two boxes full of panels left over from when they installed the convectors.
(Runtal, although very tempting, will have to wait until I’m wealthy enough to incorporate them into a new custom home.)
Thanks for your help.
Alan
Replies
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So how's the project going?? Did you find a leak yet? Those cheap fin tube units are all about the same (junk). Some brands now offer galvanized units for wet areas. The regular units all seem to rust no matter where you put them. I would recommend painting them with a good oil based spray paint before you install them. I try to salvage and restore cast iron units whenever I can. $8/ft. is in the ballpark for the new units. I used to buy just the fin tubes and make my own radiators for special areas. ( The fins are installed on the copper pipe when you buy them) They were once readily available, but I haven't tried to buy any for a few years , so I don't know if you can still buy them that way. Good luck with the project!
*Hi, G.LaLonde -I guess you're talking about the sheetmetal backing panels and covers - yup, some of them in the basement are showing signs of rust, especially in the utility room.FHB, or was it FWW ? had a good article on making wood enclosures for fin tube convectors.Will have to dig into my collection.So, it is possible to buy just the pipe/fins sections ?The main floor convectors are copper pipe with individual flat aluminum fins.The basement loop is copper pipe with what appears to be spiral wound fins that has a crinkle finish and looks like aluminum but has a galvanized look. There are zero signs of rust so they must be aluminum. I found where they had already bypassed one under-slab section before we bought the house.Now it all makes sense.I'm working up a material list of copper pipes and connectors to bypass the three existing under-slab sections. There will have to be some removing of acoustic ceiling tiles and wall paneling plus some drywall - all for routing the three new lines up and over and back down between convector units and to the boiler.Toughest part will be re doing some of the piping at the boiler.The return line for the basement loop is going into the boiler pressure relief piping.....and the city water supply line also is tapped into this. The expansion tank is also tied into this and I don't like it at all. However, I mentioned this strange hookup to a B&G distributor and he seemed to think it's ok.But first things first - disconnect all the under-slab piping....And I may at least try to change the basement loop so it hooks into the main return line.Thanks for watching out for me.Alan
*Alan, If I were doing a remodel such as yours, I would take the opportunity to re-do the piping on the boiler and bring it up to standard. It sounds like you have a patched up mess. You should install all of the proper isolation and bleed valves and leave a few stubs for future use. Install proper automatic air bleeding components (might take a look at Spirovent) and make sure the flow in your system is the way it should be. Proper piping, pump positioning, air bleeding, and valving makes all the difference in how your system operates. Installing new manifolds with copper tubing is fairly easy and quick. You should also isolate your pumps so you can change them without losing water. The radiators you have in the basement were an upgrade from the normal fin tube units. Think about any future uses or ad ons when you are piping the boiler. ( heating domestic hot water for example) It would be money well spent to have a good boiler installer bring the system up to specs.
*Hi -Your points are well taken.The system was switched from an oil boiler to natural gas Burnham by the previous owner - we're guessing less then 10 years ago.I can see some of the old components that were retained but many of the piping arrangement goes against everything I've learned in the last two years.After having read Dan Holohan's books and absorbing information from the Web, everything you mentioned has been on my project list, in particular numerous isolation valves.Will get rid of the the under-slab pipes asap and reconfiguring the boiler setup will be part of a major replumbing of the house in spring. Getting rid of all the choked up galvanized pipes for the demestic water.Thanks for your help.Alan
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Hello -
While I have the boiler shut down for eliminating several under-slab galvanized piping that developed leaks,
I am looking into replacing or adding convectors.
So far the only brand that can be ordered locally is ARGO.
I am getting a $8/ft quote.
Any other brands that comes to mind ?
Also, is it possible to buy the fins that can be fitted to copper pipes ?
We have two boxes full of panels left over from when they installed the convectors.
(Runtal, although very tempting, will have to wait until I'm wealthy enough to incorporate them into a new custom home.)
Thanks for your help.
Alan