rrebell ATLANTIC CENTRAL BroadwayLion ATLANTIC CENTRAL Levittown homes were some of the first homes build on monolithic poored slab foundations, a construction method not yet tested or approved in that region at the time. Also, it seems, the Levittown type houses had radient heat built into the slab to prevent frost heaves. We had such a house on Earl Drive (in Merrick) with radient heat in the slab. How long can pipes in a slab last? What if one leaked, and some dofuss of a home owern or plumber replaced that with radiators and just capped the pipes in the slab. Could spell trouble. ROAR Typically that was done with copper pipe. If the system is well maintained those older systems lasted 50-60 years or longer. Hot water heating pipes in a well maintained system do not corrode. Metal corrosion general requires oxygen, hot water heating systems are closed loops, the water becomes distiled after the first heating cycle, no longer containing any oxygen, it never causes corrosion. Only a leaky system, always getting freash water added, causes the pipes to corrode. Even steel pipe and iron radiators do not corrode in a well maintained system. Today in-floor radiant heat is very popular. It is done in slabs or in wood floors with plastic pipe known as PEX tubing - expected life 100 plus years. Sheldon Wrong on one point, concrete will eat copper, after as early as around 30 years you could start to have leaks, though most last at least 50 depending on the pipe thickness and other factors, not to say they can't last longer though.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL BroadwayLion ATLANTIC CENTRAL Levittown homes were some of the first homes build on monolithic poored slab foundations, a construction method not yet tested or approved in that region at the time. Also, it seems, the Levittown type houses had radient heat built into the slab to prevent frost heaves. We had such a house on Earl Drive (in Merrick) with radient heat in the slab. How long can pipes in a slab last? What if one leaked, and some dofuss of a home owern or plumber replaced that with radiators and just capped the pipes in the slab. Could spell trouble. ROAR Typically that was done with copper pipe. If the system is well maintained those older systems lasted 50-60 years or longer. Hot water heating pipes in a well maintained system do not corrode. Metal corrosion general requires oxygen, hot water heating systems are closed loops, the water becomes distiled after the first heating cycle, no longer containing any oxygen, it never causes corrosion. Only a leaky system, always getting freash water added, causes the pipes to corrode. Even steel pipe and iron radiators do not corrode in a well maintained system. Today in-floor radiant heat is very popular. It is done in slabs or in wood floors with plastic pipe known as PEX tubing - expected life 100 plus years. Sheldon
BroadwayLion ATLANTIC CENTRAL Levittown homes were some of the first homes build on monolithic poored slab foundations, a construction method not yet tested or approved in that region at the time. Also, it seems, the Levittown type houses had radient heat built into the slab to prevent frost heaves. We had such a house on Earl Drive (in Merrick) with radient heat in the slab. How long can pipes in a slab last? What if one leaked, and some dofuss of a home owern or plumber replaced that with radiators and just capped the pipes in the slab. Could spell trouble. ROAR
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Levittown homes were some of the first homes build on monolithic poored slab foundations, a construction method not yet tested or approved in that region at the time.
Also, it seems, the Levittown type houses had radient heat built into the slab to prevent frost heaves. We had such a house on Earl Drive (in Merrick) with radient heat in the slab.
How long can pipes in a slab last? What if one leaked, and some dofuss of a home owern or plumber replaced that with radiators and just capped the pipes in the slab. Could spell trouble.
ROAR
Typically that was done with copper pipe. If the system is well maintained those older systems lasted 50-60 years or longer.
Hot water heating pipes in a well maintained system do not corrode. Metal corrosion general requires oxygen, hot water heating systems are closed loops, the water becomes distiled after the first heating cycle, no longer containing any oxygen, it never causes corrosion.
Only a leaky system, always getting freash water added, causes the pipes to corrode.
Even steel pipe and iron radiators do not corrode in a well maintained system.
Today in-floor radiant heat is very popular. It is done in slabs or in wood floors with plastic pipe known as PEX tubing - expected life 100 plus years.
Sheldon
Wrong on one point, concrete will eat copper, after as early as around 30 years you could start to have leaks, though most last at least 50 depending on the pipe thickness and other factors, not to say they can't last longer though.
The copper pipe was coated with tar/sealer before the pour. Today we use PEX.