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Author:
jerwin66 (PA)
Hello, I got an excellent deal on a property that wasn't winterized properly and had some frozen copper pipe issues. I have a pre-settlement contingency which allows me to work on the property to repair it and bring it up to appraisal condition for the bank.
All copper pipes, baseboard hot water heat w/oil fired furnace.
I pneumatic pressure tested the cold and hot domestic water lines up to 50 PSI. Only found one split copper pipe under vanity on second floor. 10 minute fix. I confirmed these lines hold 50PSI for hours - could there still be very small pinhole leak? I'm thinking yes but not enough to flood before I see water damage once I turn the water on.
However, almost every baseboard section (3/4 copper) has ballooned and split where the end of the baseboard section (end of the finned section) is joined with either a coupler or another baseboard section. Should I plan on replacing all of the baseboard heating sections? What about the 3/4 copper lines behind the walls? Are these pipes prone to ballooning and popping at these joints right where the finned section joins a regular copper section?
Thanks experts!
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
Mother Nature, shows no bias when exercising her powers. Replace anything that has expanded. I would think pipes behind the walls are also damaged. A small scope will verify that.
Pressure tests to hold pressure for 24 hours. If not you have a defect.
Best Wishes
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Author:
packy (MA)
if you got 50 PSI into the hot and cold and it held for hours, i would say you are good to go.
the baseboard heaters always balloon and split where the tubing is the thinnest. i really never see any split where the fins cover the thin tubing. i have seen splits inside the wall or inside the ceiling. doesn't mean yours are split there but you never know.
i would unsolder the elbows at each heater and replace ALL the elements. than test for additional leaks. if that is not possible then assume the worst has happened and allow enough money to do a total replacement.
you need to varify that the cast iron boiler or any of the components are not damaged. that you should be able to test by closing any isolation valves and pressurizing to 30 PSI.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
The fins on the elements would have exerted a compressive force on the tubing so it coudl NOT expand and split so unless the exposed ends, where they go into the elbows is expanded they should be okay.
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Author:
packy (MA)
depends on how cold it got. i have seen the element split in the middle where the fins are.
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