All Radiators not getting hot

Steamhead (in transit)

those are the pipes to be vented.

But the pipes don't have to be taken apart- it is possible to drill and tap to install the vents. You would need a good Steam Man to do this. Once done, your house will heat evenly on less fuel.

Selecting the proper vents isn't hard, if you measure the length and diameter of each main we can tel you what you need.

Where are you located? Have you tried the Find a Professional page of this site, under Resources above? If you're in the Baltimore area, contact me.

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Ann_6

All Radiators not getting hot

I would like to know why all my radiators do not get hot after boiler has been on for 45 min. Seems like the left, front side of the building doesn't get steam into radiators when maintaining heat temperature (have a programmable thermostat installed on top floor). However, steam arrives in mornings after temps have been set back for the night. I guess the boiler has to be on for quite a while in order for steam to reach the radiators.

Is it normal for boiler to go on for so long and not reach all radiators? Also, is it not wise to use a programmable thermostat? Could this be turning off the boiler prematurely?

Dave_4

The problem is NOT the 'stat...

It's the air vents!

The speed with which the air is pushed out, is a function of:

1) How well the steam "main(s)" are vented. followed by

2) How well each individual radiator is vented.

3) Assuming the insulation on the steam mains is adequate and/or

4) the steam angle stop valve is wide open on every radiator in the structure.

I'll bet lunch at a good restaurant, items one thru 3 are suspect.

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Ed_50

When you refer to steam mains, are you talking about the pipes in the basement? I do not see any valves on the basement pipes. The only ones are on the radiators and those have been changed.

If I were to bring in a plumber to add these valves to the mains, is there a possibility of damaging the pipes? My husband was told a while ago that vents could not be added because they risked cracking them. Does this sound right?

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Ed_50

Thanks

Thank you for your great advice. I'm in NYC area. Do you know how much venting main lines would cost in my area - approx?

Steamhead (in transit)

That would depend

on how much venting is needed and how difficult the installation would be. But the first one I'd call is Matt Sweeney, owner of Triple Crown P&H in Floral Park, Long Island. Matt has installed a complete steam system in his own home, from scratch, so you know he can straighten your system out.

You can find Triple Crown on the Find a Professional page of this site, under Resources above.

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heatguy

steam setback

i believe it has been learned that anything more then a 2 or3 degree set back on a steam system is not saving you any money it is actually costing more to recover from setback then if you left it set at 1 temp