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Vent on a Stick?

Big_Al
Big_Al Member Posts: 20
in THE MAIN WALL
I have one REALLY big radiator in my house. It is single pipe steam. The air vent is on the end right next to a wall/baseboard. In order to replace it, I have to disconnect the radiator and move it away from the wall . . . not a small effort. I replaced the air vent last fall, but as of this morning the new one isn't shutting off completely. When I replace it, I'd like to make that vent easier to service.

Providing I put a little pitch on it, would there be a downside to using a 6" long nipple and a couple of elbows to move the vent to where it could be accessed?

How about putting a straight stem vent on a 90 degree elbow so I could spin it without hitting the baseboard?

Comments

  • Phil_17
    Phil_17 Member Posts: 178
    air vent

    those air vents should last longer than that--is your pressure too high? i have had luck when doubling them up on a "t" to use a street "l" into the radiator and then a straight nipple up vertically and then the air vent.my vents are all hoffman-some more than 20 years old!!--nbc
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    I'd do

    "a straight stem vent on a 90 degree elbow so I could spin it without hitting the baseboard"

    Use a brass nipple and elbow- 1/8" steel ones tend to rust up.

    "Steamhead"

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  • Big_Al
    Big_Al Member Posts: 20
    Pressure

    The pressure is 1/2-2 PSI, as low as the Pressuretrol will go. I disconnected and moved the old radiator a couple of times when repairing walls and floors in the last couple of months. I probably broke some dirt or rust loose that eventually got caught in the valve seat. The vent still works, it just doesn't seal quite perfectly when closed.
  • Big_Al
    Big_Al Member Posts: 20


    Thanks for the tip!
  • Big_Al
    Big_Al Member Posts: 20


    Thanks again for the advice! I kind of mashed the old vent with Channel-Locks and was able to unscrew it. I was able to pry the radiator back from the baseboard slightly and managed to screw in a Gorton vent I had on hand without taking the radiator out. The combination of another 1/8" of room and a pancake shaped vent got me up and running. Sometimes (not often enough) things just go right.

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