Steam generator installation

7 years ago

Yesterday I discovered that my contractor did not insulate the line from the steam generator to the steam shower. This is about a 30 foot run from the attic above the second floor to the bathroom on the first floor.

Thermasol indicates that the pipe should be insulated if it is over 10 feet OR exposed to cold areas. My contractor is willing to break the drywall to insulate the pipe but he thinks it's unnecessary because the pipe is inside interior walls (I don't think insulated). Should I have him go through the trouble of breaking and patching the drywall to do insulate the line or will it be OK as is?

I live in Los Angeles so the temperature outside rarely gets below the 50's.

Featured Answer

PRO

User

7 years ago

Don't fudge , just insulate. You do not want to get water instead of steam .

There was one guy -- more than overly anal -- which could tell and do more than '' to many recommendations '' from manufacturers . Not once he said , '' cheat the recommendations '' .

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

geoffrey_b
7 years ago
"OR exposed to cold areas."

This is a water pipe? Correct?

If you were in Minnesota, I would be worried. Why would you worry in LA?
uscpsycho
Original Author
7 years ago
This is the line from the steam generator to the steam head. I think it carries steam rather than water.

According to Thermasol if the line is greater then 10 feet it should be insulated EVEN IF it is not exposed to cold.

I have never had a steam generator and don't know exactly how they work but I do know that if things cool too much between the generator and the steam head, I am not going to get steam.

What I'm trying to figure out is if I really need to insulate this line, as Thermasol advises, or if I'll be OK under the circumstances. I don't think it makes a difference if my house is in Minnesota or LA unless people in Minnesota don't turn their heat on. The interior of my house will be the same as one in Minnesota. Only difference is the couple of feet of pipe in the attic straight from the generator.
Related Discussions
Steam Shower Generator Advice
Q
Comments (1)
I can't help much as we installed steam without ever having used one. We went with mr steam, but I don't recall doing a lot of research on it...we went with it as it seemed to be popular and was recommended by plumbing supply store, and we didn't look into any options like aroma.
...See More
Steam shower steam generator question
Q
Comments (1)
I'm not swayed by changing light colors or aromatherapy. Nor is my wife. We both enjoy steam. She regularly gets therapeutic massages. I do not at all mind scents in the house. My wife is big into scented wax melts, and I don't mind them at all. But in the steamer? The "special effects" are not preferred by either of us. Steam. Relax. Shower. Get on with the day. The features are somewhat popular, so I presume some folk like the effect. Or think they might like it when they order. I do prefer Thermasol.
...See More
Steam generator reccomedations
Q
Comments (6)
just make sure you have a wrrrty for the generator that both the mfg and plumber will wrrty get it in writing if the unit does not work with your adjusted cubic ft. calculations you are also gonna be very unhappy and stuck between tiler plumber and MFG . Rare a unit the plumber did not purchase from a supply vendor will be wrrty. , rare a plumner will install a unit supplied by client. Regardless do not buy online unless direct from mfg. You can get defensive, but i was trying to help you avoid a potential issue as i build steamers and have had to have units repaired onsite it is a very risky situation you are proposing and red flag in my experience .Lots at stake.
...See More
Steam Shower Generator Location
Q
Comments (3)
We have a Kohler steam generator in our basement, about 12' horizontally from the steam head in the shower. Its a good idea to periodically flush the steam generator as minerals can build up in them (the steam is pure water, the minerals remain behind.) The drain fitting on ours is plumbed with a ball valve to our sump pump so the steam generator can be periodically flushed. If it were in the attic, my guess is that the generator would rarely get flushed, if ever. I would opt for a nearby closet. There is a bit of rumbling on start-up as the supply line fills with steam but during operation it produces a constant low-level whoosh sound. Insulation on the lines helps the noise as well as reduces heat loss, the steam temp being 212F is above the temp rating of the box store pipe insulation. Pre-shaped high-temp fiberglass pipe insulation can be purchased from sources on-line.
...See More
geoffrey_b
7 years ago
" I don't think it makes a difference if my house is in Minnesota or LA" Well the attic in a home in MN, in winter is probably 20 degrees - way below the freezing point of water.

"According to Thermasol if the line is greater then 10 feet it should be insulated EVEN IF it is not exposed to cold. "

Well you have your own answer - Thermasol says it should be. What are you looking for? Someone to tell you it's not so?
uscpsycho
Original Author
7 years ago
Yeah, I'm asking if it's really necessary to break and patch the drywall under the circumstances. I can easily insulate the portion of the pipe that is exposed in the attic.

Manufacturers recommendations can be overly anal. I'd love to hear from someone with lots of experience installing steam generators to tell me I really have to insulate or that what I have is totally fine and not worth all the trouble to insulate the line. I can read the manual but I lack the experience to know where I can fudge.
PRO
Mint tile Minneapolis
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Did someone say steam shower installations in Minnesota? Yep we insulate the line. Anal? Yep.

Just insulated 20+ ft copper for this one.. good to hear you ran it from the attic DOWN...smart
MongoCT
7 years ago
Insulate it.
millworkman
7 years ago
Do want a warranty on the parts? Will he guarantee that he will replace the parts for free if the mfr will not warrant the parts due to the installation instructions not being followed?
amanda99999
7 years ago
Cutting a section of drywall out, and then patching it up, is a simple exercise. I wouldn't let that aspect of insulating the pipe drive the decision. (Heck, I have a 1920's plaster/lathe walled home, and cutting into/patching even those walls isn't a big deal. Drywall? Wouldn't hesitate.)
Allen Carter
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Insulate it with fiberglass with 1" thickness if available and at least a 230-250 °F rating; it is steam. That 30' line equals 1.25 ft^2 of condensing surface. Even if there isn't any back pressure the steam will be at 212 °F and your wall will be ~75°F or a differential of 137°F. That will drive a lot of heat loss. If you are wondering, I design chemical plants for a living.

I installed my system so that when the unit cooled down and de-energized; a fail open 1/2" ASCO solenoid valve opened to drain the water from the generator's tank. (It looks like the installation by Tundra also has the solenoid valve installed.) The unit would normally be cool about 2 hours after using it. I thought if the generator was not full of water, it would minimize corrosion between uses. Since the tank was empty when not in use I could speed up the heating time by supplying the generator from the hot water line to my Jacuzzi tub. My generator was located on the other side of the wall from the Jacuzzi. All I had to do was flow the water into the tub until it was hot (120°F) versus the winter cold water (55°F). That would save 40% of the heat up time before it would make steam.

Also try to minimize low point loops in the piping and allow it to self drain to the steam head so that water does not stay in the line.