radiator - pipes

tanya_2

My house runs on natural gas for heat and hot water. I have several steam radiators . Some of my radiators are self bleeders. When my heat kicks on there is one radiator that I hear banging. It does not appear to be a self bleeder. I was going to bleed it but think a part is missing.

Any and all help is welcome

Timco

Hello! Where to begin! What pressure is your system running at? Do your other rads have vents, and not the one that bangs? Is there a trap (round, flat thing) on any other rads? The banging could be from too much pressure, a missing trap, vents where they should not be, or a improper pitch to the radiator. (condensate cannot freely run out of the rad) Banging occurs when steam is passing water in the rad or pipes near the rad.

Tim

Steamhead (in transit)

Tanya, that looks like a Vapor system

which may not have anything that keeps the steam out of the return lines except the pressure control on the boiler. With this type of system, over-pressure can cause banging.

Vapor systems vent ("bleed") air from the radiators from a central vent in the basement. There should not be any bleeds or vents on the radiators themselves.

Where are you located? There has to be a good steam man near you.....

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tim smith

Another possibility

We have seen in our neck of the woods, companies who have converted steam systems to water just like this!!! They did not put bleeders on, and also the rads were not even connected at top w/ nipples. Arrrrrrrrrrgh. What a hack job. Hard to fix, drill out and tap sections for bleeders was basically only viable way to get this apt. bldg to heat at all. Ugly.

tanya_2

A hack job would not surprise me. The previous owners tried to do a lot on their own or took short cuts Lots a work for me but I'm getting an education.
I've posted pics of the system in the basement and some of the other rads. They are all different.
If you know of a good steam company. Please let me know I'm in Montgomery County, PA.
I checked the psi and it is currently at 3?. The thermastat is only at 68 right now.

Steamhead (in transit)

Dear Tanya

I am sorry to say that your boiler was put in by someone who wasted very little time reading the instructions.

Modern steam boilers must be installed "by the book" or they will generate poor quality steam. Copper pipe instead of threaded steel for steam supply piping is regarded as unworthy.

Look for the way air must get out. In most cases, the radiators should NOT have a vent on them. As others have said, the system should have a main vent in the boiler room on the end of the dry return. The dry return is the pipe or pipes near the basement ceiling connecting all the OUTLETS of the radiators and taking the water back to the boiler and the air to the vent.

Most, if not all, two-pipe steam systems were designed to run on very low pressure, no more than 1 psi, and even less. Three psi is too high.



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John_206

Good news!
You've come to the right place. Listen to these guys - they know what they're talking about.

I suggest you invest in "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" or at least "We Got Steam Heat!" or both - available in the Online Store (above).

Also check out "Find a Pro" under "Resources" and enjoy your steam.

Ken Pakulski

Rad piping

A great way to start is at the bottom for a home diy'er. That is, at the bottom of this page. Below is a helpful lot of books to help you with understanding your system. SKU-142 A steamy deal- Best $$$ spent for your "Steam heating tuition". Books to help you to understand what the steam tech is explaining and doing to your system. Also help with maintenance on your system. Some repairs are not recommended for the home owner to undertake. The knowledge of the pros at this site is great. You will be able to understand the talk after you digest the info in the books.
They're good reading! Stay safe.

tanya_2

radiator - pipes

This sounds like money. This is not a project I would even attempt myself. It looks like I definitly need a steam heat specialist.

Thanks to all for the opinions and the advice. Thank God it's getting warm.

Steamhead (in transit)

Looks like you're just above Philly

where there are plenty of good steam men. Click on Resources above, then Find a Professional and follow the directions.

I'd come up but I'm in Baltimore......

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