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A main vent in service for over 70 years.

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MostTornBrain
MostTornBrain Member Posts: 3
in Strictly Steam
I thought someone might enjoy this. I recently purchased a small house built in the 1940s. I was replacing the main vents (both let out steam constantly, so much so that the floor joists were dripping water from the condensation). One of the vents was very difficult to remove - took me several days of hitting it with penetrating oil and trying over and over to remove it. When I finally got it removed, I looked at the brand name. It was an American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation No 528 Favorite vent. According to the American Standard web site, the brand name "American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation" hasn't been used since the late 40s, so best I can figure, this vent was the original one installed when the house was built! Yikes! No wonder it took me so long to remove it. :smile:


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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,842
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    That sounds right. Wonder how long they lasted before they started to leak? What did you replace them with?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • MostTornBrain
    MostTornBrain Member Posts: 3
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    I replaced them with Hoffman 75 vents. I didn't have enough height for anything bigger. The mains only run about 20 feet and seem to vent pretty fast.
    Dave in QCA
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,842
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    Those should work fine, but I bet you've already seen that they do.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Dave in QCA
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
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    its to bad that american std doesnt bring back the american radiator brand and products. Its not a huge market anymore but they would be able to dominate what is there.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • MostTornBrain
    MostTornBrain Member Posts: 3
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    In addition to replacing the main vents, I've been replacing the radiator vents and repacking the valve stem nuts on any radiators I noticed hissing. Now that I've done this, it's amazing how quiet the heating system is. I don't even know when it is on anymore. I never knew steam heat could be so quiet.
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    "Well It's steam-what do you expect"--NBC
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 6,954
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    Wow...love it. Thank you. Mad Dog
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • dean_20
    dean_20 Member Posts: 16
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    Amazing what happens when these systems are brought back to original working conditions. I repaired my one pipe steam system back around 2004 after I found this site and the fine folks on it. I will say this, if people like Steamhead, Mad Dog or many others here tell you to do something, do it. Why? Because they know what they are talking about and it works. Oh yeah buy "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" if you don't already have it.
    BobCMilanD

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