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Steam heat bleader valve

Steve Sisti
Steve Sisti Member Posts: 1
in THE MAIN WALL
Just bought a home which has single pipe steam heat. Read a lot here and elsewhere but still could use advice. One radiator has a "Heat timer" varivalve vent on the end. When fully closed it still lets air pass and occassionally spits out small drops of water, resulting in the wood floor getting wet. The valve is probably shot, and I will replace it, but is the spitting water from the bad valve or is the "pitch" of the radiator pipe off also, letting water accumulate at the fitting end.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Steve

Comments

  • Brad White
    Brad White Member Posts: 2,399
    Rhymes with Rich

    Could be a combination of things.

    Pitch at the radiator is important of course. I am not certain but I do not think that the Vari-Valve has a positive shut-off. It is minimally open in my experience but others may chime in on that. Slow, not off is my understanding. Yes, it might be defective but possibly not. Does it close positively when steam is firmly established?

    The water and pitch issue are inter-related naturally. If you have standing water, the velocity of steam across it can lift it as it heads to the vent. Your vent being open until steam is firmly established can allow water to be emitted. Is your near-boiler piping ideal? Can you make nice dry steam to start?
    "If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"



    -Ernie White, my Dad
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