Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: braveblaster on February 19, 2018, 04:48:23 PM

Title: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: braveblaster on February 19, 2018, 04:48:23 PM
Well, times had come to redo the pex lines from the stove to the house.

I have the original 3 wraps lines shipped with the stove and am losing great amount of heat plus on initial installation I committed the biggest sin, "spliced" (a rookie mistake) underground connections and now I have massive leaks.

With that said, everything is coming out and will be installing new lines this spring. The insulated pex lines I have eyes on are on the link below:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-of-TSP-Insulated-Boiler-Pex-Pipe-/302146592099

Anyone with experiences from this store, the sellers and the lines themselves?
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: juddspaintballs on February 19, 2018, 05:22:56 PM
The drain tile is still a problem.  Once water gets in, the insulation inside will absorb the water and you'll have the same situation you have now.  Spend the money on Thermopex, Logstor, Rehau, etc. and only re-do your lines this one time and never have to worry about them again.  Those products have a thick outer shell compared to drain tile piping so they shouldn't allow infiltration ever and the foam inside is closed cell foam that won't absorb water if it does. 
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: wreckit87 on February 19, 2018, 05:30:56 PM
I'm not entirely sure how to say this without sounding like a dick, but you're already doing it a second time because of cheap line. Why would you subject yourself to doing it a third time? My theory is do it once and do it right; there's a reason they call that wrap stuff "do-over line". If you only need 100 feet it's only an extra ~$600 to invest in something like Thermopex or Rehau with a full closed cell foam core. That'll last 100 years and will completely eliminate the possibility of water infiltration.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: braveblaster on February 19, 2018, 06:07:50 PM
Thanks guys for the feedback, no offense taken at all. Any links to the sources mentioned?
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: MD20/20 on February 19, 2018, 09:21:09 PM
I got my Rehau from RSI. He was helpful and did what he said he would.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: KevinSantelik on February 20, 2018, 05:51:51 AM
You can also check out freeheat4u.com.
They carry the Reahu but I'm not sure how the shipping to NC would be.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: wreckit87 on February 20, 2018, 08:03:17 AM
Any Central Boiler dealer should carry Thermopex if you have a dealer nearby
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: braveblaster on February 20, 2018, 05:50:30 PM
You can also check out freeheat4u.com.
They carry the Reahu but I'm not sure how the shipping to NC would be.
Thanks. I checked them out and right now price is 8.50 per ft plus 349.00 shipping, only option I have so far?
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: braveblaster on February 20, 2018, 05:53:53 PM
Any Central Boiler dealer should carry Thermopex if you have a dealer nearby

Closest dealers are a few hours away from me but will call them to see options.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: RSI on February 20, 2018, 07:41:20 PM
If you are careful burying the pipe in the original post and your ground is fairly dry it should work fine. I would get the platinum 3 or platinum 4 if they still have that though. It is much thicker insulation.

I have dealt with Eastlake a lot but never used their pipe.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: E Yoder on February 21, 2018, 04:38:12 AM
Another thought, along with RSI's suggestion, would be to buy just the insulated pipe (no case) a glue 4" PVC pipe for an outer case. Waterproof and fairly cheap.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: mlappin on February 21, 2018, 07:33:00 AM
I had a guy that bought the white casing pipe from Z-supply then slid that inside a solid 6” tile, so basically a double walled pipe and you also gain more dead air space between the 4” and 6”.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: braveblaster on February 21, 2018, 04:26:56 PM
If you are careful burying the pipe in the original post and your ground is fairly dry it should work fine. I would get the platinum 3 or platinum 4 if they still have that though. It is much thicker insulation.

I have dealt with Eastlake a lot but never used their pipe.

Could please expand?

Careful burying as far as the depth?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: RSI on February 21, 2018, 05:41:46 PM
Quote

Could please expand?

Careful burying as far as the depth?

Thanks!
Making sure there is no damage before putting in the trench. Filling around pipe with clean sand or powdered dirt and keeping any rocks away from it. If you dig the trench with a backhoe, you don't want to just push the chunks of dirt back in the hole directly only the pipe. The pipe needs to be completely surrounded and not have voids around it for the most strength.
Years ago drain tile made from recycled plastic was used and it broke down over time and leaked. This is one of the reasons that this type insulated pipe got a bad reputation.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: braveblaster on February 21, 2018, 06:24:02 PM

I would get the platinum 3 or platinum 4 if they still have that though. It is much thicker insulation.

I have dealt with Eastlake a lot but never used their pipe.

Found this https://eastlakeenergy.com/collections/insulated-boiler-pipe/products/platinum-3
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: RSI on February 21, 2018, 09:04:24 PM
What kind of pipe was your original? Was it just the bad splice that was the problem with it?
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: braveblaster on February 22, 2018, 06:10:55 PM
What kind of pipe was your original? Was it just the bad splice that was the problem with it?

Yes, the original is a 3 wrap pipe shipped with the Ridgewood stove. I have 2 pumps with one line each running to individuals heat pumps. I came just short in one of the lines and hence the underground split on the pex.

I have yet to un-buried the entire line, have dug out just the spot of the split as of now so, can't say anything on the shape of the rest of the line.
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: patvetzal on March 03, 2018, 03:54:52 PM
That stuff from Eastlake might work great on an overhead or interior installation but I've never heard of complete satisfaction when that type is  buried.  Most people on this site are recommending closed cell Rehau type for a reason...
Title: Re: Boiler Pex Lines Redo v2
Post by: RSI on March 03, 2018, 11:00:14 PM
I would guess that the ratio of outdoor boilers with wrapped type pipe is at least 10 wrapped to 1 foam. Of coarse you will hear of some bad results which a lot of the time was due to improper installation. Since over the years, there have been a lot of companies making it and also a lot of homemade attempts, there is going to be really varying results.