Steam Heating Info Overload....

John Van Hoesen_2

Guess I should have named the thread something else.. :)

John Van Hoesen_2

Radiator venting and supply questions...

I recently read (either Burnham helper or Dan's book I'm sure) that on a one-pipe system, you should supply any rad over 28sq/ft with a 1 1/4 inch pipe... what happens if you don't? I have a radiator in the back room that is quite a bit larger than that on a 1" pipe? Am I slowing down the system, not going to heat well, what is the issue?

Also... I just bought a radiator that was hooked into a hot water system. The main steam vent (the lower one) is plugged with a screw that I'm sure I'll have to drill and easy out. However, it also has a bleeder valve at the top of the radiator that I would like to use for an additional vent (it's a big radiator). Can I just put a 1/8" nipple in that hole, add a small coupling and put another vent there? The vent won't screw in without an extension (2inches) because the end plug is in the way...

Thoughts? Thanks SO much for your help and suggestions...

cheers
John

michael_15

Big radiators

The limitation on pipe size is largely because the piping runoffs to the radiators are "counterflow," meaning that the steam and the condensate move in opposite directions. If you have too big of a radiator at the end of the pipe, it will potentially generate large amounts of condensate, and your pipe leading up to the radiator may not be able to handle the traffic jam. In this case, you'll potentially hear some water hammer as things get thrown about.

If you're not getting any, and the radiator heats fine, I'd guess you're okay for now, though you'll want to get another opinion. Keep in mind, though, that you might have to limit your vent size in this case to avoid creating a traffic jam in the pipe, otherwise you might introduce a problem where there previously wasn't one.

As to the second question, you can put a vent on the top and that should be fine. The venting will naturally slow down once that vent closes, but if you also have a vent at the appropriate location (usually 2/3rds down), you should be fine. Make sure you don't get a small pool of water going at your coupling.

-Michael

John Van Hoesen

Thanks!!

Thanks, much appreciated... something to dream about now... guess I'll just see how it works before I make any modifications.

cheers
J~