radiators on third floor still not doing the trick

Jay Beuoy

I took the valve off the main to get a close look. Must not have had my glasses on last time. The valves on the two mains are hoffman #75. Does that help?

One main returns hot the other side never gets hot. That's the one that the third floor is connected to. I noticed that it is a smaller diameter pipe.

Jay Beuoy

still can't get 3rd floor radiators to work

Last year we bought an three story home with steam heat. Last year I also posted a couple questions here and tried some different things.
I changed a bunch of the steam trap thermostats throughout the home.
I installed different, larger radiators with larger supply lines (1/2 up to now 3/4") on my 3rd floor.

I get a very hot supply side pipe all the way up to the valve of the radiator and a bit past but never all the way through the radiator. The temperature on the third floor is still cool well past the point that the downstairs is roasting.

Can any body give me a few suggestions? I'd gladly get an expert in, but I've looked with no success in the area. Even this site's professional finder doesn't locate anyone. Is there an online consultant that works for a fee? I hate to spend another winter unable make good use of my third floor.

gerry gill

do you have

any main vents on the supply side up on the third floor?

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Jay Beuoy

don't think so

There is no vent on the third floor.

Steamhead (in transit)

How does the air get out of that system?

If there's any back-pressure in the dry returns, some rads won't heat well.

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Jay Beuoy

my understanding of my system

I'm not a professional but I thought that all the venting in a two pipe system like mine happened in the basement near the boiler. The return pipe has a 15 lb pressure vent on the steam and the return line very close to the boiler.
This raises an issue. The people who installed the boiler (a few years back)aren't experts on steam heat. When I call and ask for an expert they tell me that they don't have one. Could ethey have plumbed it in wrong.

RodH

upstairs radiators not heating

My current issue sounds similar, except that my system is a single run (supply/return) to each radiator.

I recently replaced the radiator steam release valves, and it seems like since then, my second floor radiators don't heat up unless there's a tremendous inside/outside temperature difference.

If I need to replace these inexpensive valves with better ones-what is suggested?

Steamhead (in transit)

Can you post a pic of that vent

I think it might be at least part of the problem.....

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Steamhead (in transit)

First check your main vents

measure the length and diameter of your steam mains and tell us what make and model vent is installed at the end of each one.

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David Nadle

Is it conceivable they put 15 psi relief valves on the return instead of steam vents?

Steamhead (in transit)

That's my thought too

but if I can see a pic..................

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David Nadle

Well, I guess it's conceivable then ;-)

Jay Beuoy

another dumb question

As I look at it it seems that one of the main lines returning to the boiler is actually coming back from the steam side. The other line coming back to the boiler clearly seems connected to the return side. It makes sense then why the one side is piping hot and the other mostly cool until near the end of the cycle and after.

Is that correct? And is that how it should be plumbed?