Outdoor Wood Furnace Info
All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: intensedrive on April 09, 2015, 08:21:45 PM
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Well we had a heck of a rain here in Michigan, Water flooded into my underground pipes, I have no idea how much water has penetrated but I'm betting a lot. Will this dry out over summer? I paid to have ridgewood install it two years ago, looks like the pipe is too low. :bash: Any ideas on how dry it out?
(http://i58.tinypic.com/2d0fnkk.jpg)
Thanks
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Hmmm doubt you'll dry it. What kind of line?
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I have no Idea, Ridge Wood installed the line 2 years ago. I modified much of my post here, after I cooled down. From the looks of the install I should have not paid Ridgewood a grand to install
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Oh boy, what a way to start the day, first the spammers are back again and then this, sorry to hear of your troubles intensedrive, how much pipe length do you have underground? I may be seeing it wrong, is this where the pipe is going into the back of the boiler? Why would the outer she'll be cut so low to the ground and not capped off?
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Laying on the ground like that looks bad for water intrusion.
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Not good!
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That water probably won't dry out. Not only that but mice, snakes, God knows what else could have crawled down in there.
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Maybe try to snake a garden hose as far into the casing as you can then get one of those little pumps that run off a drill? Far as how to seal the end so no more water gets in I'm at a loss atm.
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Maybe try to snake a garden hose as far into the casing as you can then get one of those little pumps that run off a drill? Far as how to seal the end so no more water gets in I'm at a loss atm.
Ayuh,..... If both ends are Open, with the heat on, rig a fan to blow through the pipe,.....
The water will heat up, 'n evaporate out,.... Heat + movin' air = dry out,....
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I didn't get to see the picture earlier but if Ridgewood has been installing that crap as their underground line I see a lot of future unhappy customers. Seriously looks like uninsulated flex duct to me. Believe it comes in 50' lengths and so if your run is over that I would bet you have a taped joint underground. Flex duct is for air to flow through not to be buried in the dirt. I'm sorry if that's really what it is you are a victim of someone who has no business in this industry.
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I really have no idea on how you would dry it out. I can't believe that they would install it like that. I believe that Ridgewood sells Z-Supply pex (and that's what it looks like to me) and they make covers to go over the ends of the pipe. Did Ridgewood intall it themself or did one of their dealers do it? How long of a run is it?
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We gotta have a way to catalog these mistakes, or poor workmanship.
That looks like a sponge, they are using, to keep water out????
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As good as Ridgewood has been standing behind their product and helping any customer that has had issues (including replaceing your stove because of paint chips), I think Craig will work with you on this issue. As far as telling everyone to stay very clear of Ridgewood, all one has to do is read the Ridgewood posts and you will get the idea that most of their customers are very happy with their stoves and especially happy with their service. Myself being one of them. As far as the installation of the under ground pipe goes it does look a little suspect. I installed mine myself because I'm a little anal and I go with the philosophy of if you want it done right do it youself.
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I agree Chas. From what I have heard, Craig is a great guy who stands behind his products. I haven't heard a bad review of ridewood furnaces yet. I understand intesidrives frustration though. I would be upset if this happened to me. Hopefully they will come through and fix your problems for you.
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That doesn't look thick enough to be a form of drain tile like z supply looks like flex duct with the wire in it but I might be wrong its been know to happen lol
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It will be interesting to see who actually did the install. Was it Ridgewood Factory, or Ridgewood dealer. I have a hard time believing the factory would allow such an install. I also have to agree with Chas. Ridgewood has been nothing but awesome in customer service. Now if one of the dealers did the install, Craig has no control over that.
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Good question, I have no idea why it wasn't. I had probably 60 foot underground
Oh boy, what a way to start the day, first the spammers are back again and then this, sorry to hear of your troubles intensedrive, how much pipe length do you have underground? I may be seeing it wrong, is this where the pipe is going into the back of the boiler? Why would the outer she'll be cut so low to the ground and not capped off?
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It was installed by a guy Craig recommended. Basically he was installing Ridgewood stoves in my area. Basically he delivered and installed the stove. I'm only 2 hours from Ridgewood Factory. When I wrote the check for the boiler and install it was one check to Ridgewood.
It will be interesting to see who actually did the install. Was it Ridgewood Factory, or Ridgewood dealer. I have a hard time believing the factory would allow such an install. I also have to agree with Chas. Ridgewood has been nothing but awesome in customer service. Now if one of the dealers did the install, Craig has no control over that.
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I can't tell from the picture,, but did water enter your basement through these lines??
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i have the same stove and same underground pipe.
I installed my pipe myself and we had a huge rain also and mine leaked into my basement. I filled the opening with spray foam and dug up the trench at the lowest spot and cut a slit in it to release all the water. my fault but mine is only 25 feet worth of under ground pipe
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Are there any tight bends in it? If not, I would disconnect both ends and pull the insulation / pex assembly out and let it dry out. After it is all dried up, put it back in and put the end caps on this time so it doesn't happen again.
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I think So, I have a old field stone farm basement so its always wet this time of year. I can't see the water from the top entry of the pipe anymore. I'm sure there is still a bunch of standing water underground.
I can't tell from the picture,, but did water enter your basement through these lines??
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RSI, do you think the outer shell would hold up without crushing, I'm thinking it's a lost cause!
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I agree with you slim. Maybe you would be able to pull it out but I don't see it being possible to fish it back through.
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Most field tile is tougher than you think, we routinely walk on it in the trench during installation for drainage purposes.
Tie a rope to the one end before pulling it out so you rope is already in place to pull it back thru.
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RSI, do you think the outer shell would hold up without crushing, I'm thinking it's a lost cause!
If the insulation and pipe will slide in the outer pipe then it will not crush. If was going to crush then it would already have and the insulation and pipe will be wedged in place. (if it doesn't slide, it doesn't mean that it is crushed, it could just have a tight bend)
Before trying to pull it out of the outer tube, I would tape the pipes to the insulation real good. The pex is not attached to the insulation at all so if you just pull on them, they will come right out and you will never get back inside the insulation.
Before doing anything though, I would try to get whoever installed it to replace it.
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hard to tell from pic ...sad chit
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Thanks for all the suggestions, it really is a sad scenario. Days after the water entered my underground lines it would take 30 minutes to increase my house temp a degree, mind you the boiler was running 180. Over the days the boiler has performed a bit better as I'm sure most has dumped into my basement. I'm going to call ridgewood in hope they will at least pull my lines if that is possible. Did they use the wrong corrugated pipe? Like most I'm afraid it is crushed under the pressure of the dirt. Please offer me some clues what seems wrong with the insulation so I have more ammunition during conversation. Installer did replace my boiler in October because of all the paint. I watched them during the draining process and the helper had all the water draining right into my underground pipes, I told him to stop. The lead installer saw and also told him to stop, and attached a hose. At that time I didn't realize the pipe should have been sealed, figured normal install, these guys are pros. After watching the heavy rain pour into my lines I quickly realized this is not right, and from reading all the forums realized I cant heat underground water it will zap my performance. The 1,000 dollar install did not include trenching, so I spent 2 days digging my deep hole. I did bury by the trench myself, they did put dirt on the closer part of the boiler, I'm assuming to stable the pipe. I was not instructed in any manner to seal the pipe. I feel so cheated, my anger has left me...two installers and not once mention of potential issue with the underground pipe. I have too much stress in my life from business, every time I think about how much I have screwed over by this company I want to rage. I don't want revenge on his company I just want a correct install!... Will Craig the owner see it my way? I know I'm your average install I pay for wood and love a warm house. Well I'm more informed now, how many installs have resulted in flooded pipes? burning more wood? You endorsed the installer. What I have found from the new installer the old one was a piece of dog@#!. Yet the new installer did not inform me of bad install. These installers were recommended by the owner, yet to serve me wrong. I go from paint in my lines to water.... Good Grief I hope know one experiences this ever!. You are good people and thank you for all the constructive replies.
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In defense of Ridgewood, its not always possible for an owner of a business to check up on the contracted installers. Could be the guy felt confident with his position with the company and decided to start cutting corners to make himself a little extra.
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In defense of Ridgewood, its not always possible for an owner of a business to check up on the contracted installers. Could be the guy felt confident with his position with the company and decided to start cutting corners to make himself a little extra.
It will be up to the owner to make things right. He will be judged on how he handles this situation going forward. Any good business man will make things right. Sounds like he has taken care of things in the past so hopefully this will continue and this will be dealt with correctly.
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You can try drying it out, but I'm guessing you may be making a contribution to the underground line industry sometime in the near future.
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Disclaimer: I am, in no way, attemping to start a fight or cause emotional upheaval. I am also NOT affiliated with Ridgewood or any of the "endorsed" installers.
I still have trouble seeing that it is up to Ridgewood Factory to make it right. I do however feel for you, intensedrive. I also feel that you are absolutely correct in wanting to have an install issue corrected. I almost bought the same pipe you have, but after reading post after post after post after post about not skimping on the underground lineset and going with a well regarded brand of manufactured pipe, I chose Centeral Boiler's Thermopex. The same dealer had Logstor in stock also. Ridgewood may have recommended this particular installer, but is under no obligation to make it right, in my opinion. I assume the pipe is Z-supply that Ridgewood carries. If so, Ridgewood supplied a product that can work, as seen by many folks that have it. So, it's not really a product issue more of an install issue, which, again, Ridgewood cannot be held liable for. Now, they (Ridgewood) can put pressure on the installer to make it right or loose the dealership status. Still, I am curious to see what Craig will have to say.......I, personally, am happy with the stove and the service I got from Ridgewood. I had some issues with controllers and solenoids, all of which were taken care of, no questions asked. It's an entry level stove, with no bells and whistles, and was thousands and thousands fo dollars less than the high end stoves, so I can eat some inconvenience and not be too upset......Keep us posted!!
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I understand your angle, how do you put pressure on the installer they fired a year ago that did my install? How does that work? The new installer informed me of all his mistakes when he replaced the whole boiler last year. In my book your points are null and void. Does a manufacturer not get finders fee, or kick backs from his installer? If you recommend a installer in your local area, I would image the manufacturer and installer consult daily, he his picking up the boiler from the plant to the customer. We are not talking about out of state work, we are talking local installer dealing with the company each day. I will keep everyone informed.
Disclaimer: I am, in no way, attemping to start a fight or cause emotional upheaval. I am also NOT affiliated with Ridgewood or any of the "endorsed" installers.
I still have trouble seeing that it is up to Ridgewood Factory to make it right. I do however feel for you, intensedrive. I also feel that you are absolutely correct in wanting to have an install issue corrected. I almost bought the same pipe you have, but after reading post after post after post after post about not skimping on the underground lineset and going with a well regarded brand of manufactured pipe, I chose Centeral Boiler's Thermopex. The same dealer had Logstor in stock also. Ridgewood may have recommended this particular installer, but is under no obligation to make it right, in my opinion. I assume the pipe is Z-supply that Ridgewood carries. If so, Ridgewood supplied a product that can work, as seen by many folks that have it. So, it's not really a product issue more of an install issue, which, again, Ridgewood cannot be held liable for. Now, they (Ridgewood) can put pressure on the installer to make it right or loose the dealership status. Still, I am curious to see what Craig will have to say.......I, personally, am happy with the stove and the service I got from Ridgewood. I had some issues with controllers and solenoids, all of which were taken care of, no questions asked. It's an entry level stove, with no bells and whistles, and was thousands and thousands fo dollars less than the high end stoves, so I can eat some inconvenience and not be too upset......Keep us posted!!
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I think unfortunately it boils down to the fact that they were not employed by Ridgewood, I would say if they were on the payroll or even sub contracted out you would have a better chance of getting the issue fixed.
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My thoughts are yes the pipe should have never been cut that close to the ground. But why you didn't question it 2 years ago when it was installed? I don't understand why it didn't click that it should have been addressed when it was first installed. it's a pipe that runs from the outdoors to your basement its direct path for mice and moisture to come in your house. I don't think you need to be a "licensed installer" or a " professional" to point out the obvious but apparently I'm wrong. I hope this dosent piss to many people off but oh ya I don't care if it does
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In my book your points are null and void.
Got it.
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Did you get anywhere with this? Just curious.