Heating Help

I'd like to use Pex...

@ June 6, 2005 8:10 PM in burying copper

but I'm just too unfamiliar with it; don't have the right tools; etc. Hope to use it in the future. Plus, it's only an 8' run and I'm comfortable sweating copper.

3/4\" hardwood

@ June 6, 2005 8:08 PM in burying copper

will go over the slab. not sure about additional sub-floor under that. The 'patch' will be about 3"D x 9"W x 8'L. I'm probably being overconcerned with the structural part (however, 1" tube + 1" insulation leaves a thin 1" on top). I'm more concerned with durability of the insulation. Any idea what the approximate thickness of the glass is? only used it on steam pipes upwards of 1 1/4". Thanks for your reply.

A customer wants to eliminate two baseboard units.

@ June 6, 2005 7:10 PM in burying copper

The main loop that feeds the two baseboards is inaccesible (for all intents and purposes), therefore, our plan is to cut out the radiation and reconnect the supplies/returns. One of the pipes we would like to bury in concrete to acheive flooring goals. My questions are: What type of insulation should be used to protect the copper in the slab (from chemical reactions)? Is there a minimum slab thickness that should be maintained for the sake of structural integrity? Does anyone make a 'coating' or 'tape' as opposed to an insulation as insulation will greatly reduce the thickness of the floor? There's about three inches to work with and it's (to my surprise) 1" copper tube. Wallie recommendations are much appreciated.

Where are you located?

@ June 3, 2005 3:29 PM in Help Wanted

I'd like a chance to get into the business, but I'm in Michigan. Not quite ready to pick up and move (depending on where).

sounds like overkill...

@ June 1, 2005 1:18 PM in Powder Coating Radiators

if you ask me. A good latex paint has been on some of our radiators for 20+ years. No peeling or discoloration.

Memorial day

@ May 29, 2005 10:05 AM in Great email from a friend...

It's funny how our perspective can radically change as we get older. Thirty five years ago (If we had e-mail) I would not have forwarded this. This breaks my ten year vow to never forward chain mail or messages. Perhaps it was my 84-year old father-in-law, homebound, putting his medals on the kitchen table Saturday and telling me, again, about the hedgerows in France. He did not tell me, this time, about picking up coal near near the RR tracks at Detroit's stockyard as a child to be used for heating his family home during the depression, Surely the Greatest Generation...Mike It is the VETERAN, not th! e preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. I don't know if yo! u saw this in the news but it really impressed me. Funny, our US Senate/House took 2 days off as they couldn't work because of the expected storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported tonight that, because of the dangers from Hurricane Isabelle approaching Washington DC, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be MIGHTY proud if this one reached as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve. God! Bless them.

Barnes and jones...

@ May 26, 2005 3:38 PM in Mouat traps

carries one other one for mouat. try that one?

Devcon

@ May 24, 2005 10:32 PM in cast iron radiator has small cracks - can they be fixed?

Whatever epoxy is used, the crack will need to be grinded or 'dug out' for it to hold. I haven't used Devcon on radiators but on automotive castings(engine & components). looks like they've got some newer products that may be even better suited. pretty neat product here: http://www.devcon.com/devconcatsolution.cfm?catid=17 As for welding, it may need to be brazed. If you have the means, you could take the rad a local welding shop. shouldn't cost too much. Let us know what happens!

never really noticed what my hot water tank does...

@ May 24, 2005 9:05 PM in HW savings

during the night. Does it run the burner? If so, how many times? Could anyone see a savings in fuel consumption (even slight) if one were to somehow throttle the tanks thermostat to 'vacation' during the night? I guess I'm asking if there's such a thing as a programable tstat for hot water tanks. If so, do you think any significant amount of fuel could be saved?