One spitting rad

Patrick North

The first floor of our house has only three radiators. Two seem to be functioning perfectly, but the third gurgles as if half full of water and spits water from its vent when steaming. Pressuretrol is set back to a minimum (though the pressure gage doesn't even register- maybe a clogged pigtail?)mains are insulated, and as I said, the other two seem to be fine, though when their valves click open it does sound like a good bit of pressure being released. EDIT: Pitch is ok, too- no more/less extreme than any other in the house.
Any obvious or not so obvious checks/fixes come to mind?
Thanks,
Patrick North

Dave_4

The fact that you mentioned a plugged pigtail...

as a possible pressure "issue" suggests you've got some ideas already as to what's wrong.

If you know how to improvise and make a water column "gage" (out of some clear platic tubing) and know one pound will raise the water 27" - you might find the pressuretrol whacked. Switching to that new Honeywell vaporstat migh be a home run. Cleaning the pigtail wouldn't hurt either!

Make sure all angle stop valves are wide open. Switch one of the two good valves with the offender. Assuming same size orifice(s) on all three rads, see what happens. If different sizes, put the smallest size on the spitter and see if it stops. Usually, the bigger the vent, the faster the steam and air travel thru the rad. The water that may be "carried" with a real big orifice could be part of the problem.

Adequate steam-main venting could also allow wet steam and result in spitting. Check the main vent in the basement. If it too spits, the pressuretrol and/or pigtail is toast.

Let us know what you find.

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