Weak upstairs heat

Pat_17

My two upstairs bedrooms aren't getting enough heat from my steam system.They will get hot only if the system is allowed to run long.I've already installed adj valves on the radiators and they are opened all the way.What can I do to get steam up to those rooms faster?

Pete_18

q?s

Do you have main vents? If so, what type and how long are your mains and what are their width?

What does the radiator look like that isn't getting hot early enough? (Height, Columns/Tubes, and Sections?)

What type of vent do you have on the radiator and the other radiators in the house?

Do you ever hear hissing noises from your radiators? (This is generally a sign that your venting strategy needs help)

Are your steam heat mains insulated?

Better main vents (properly sized Gortons 1s or 2s recommended) and better radiator vents will most likely solve your problem (get the heat to reach the radiators at a more even time). You can't buy a good radiator vent at HD or Lowes, Gortons are only sold by very good plumbing supply stores or online. I've also had decent luck with Varivent Heat-timers on my radiators, but many of the experts have stated that they can create other issues. In general, the Gortons have been most problem free for me.

Regis

What's wrong with Maid-O-Mist vents?

> You can't buy a good radiator vent at HD

What's inferior about Maid-o-Mist vents? Is the issue their performance or longevity?

Rodney Summers

Maid-o-mist

... have plastic floats and internal valves. Their cases are crimped together unlike the Gortons which are silver soldered.

Expansion and contraction works the crimps loose which makes them leak in about two years.

Basically more Home Depot garbage.

Long Beach Ed