steam system help in Southern Maine

barnguy

We have a steam system that has become progressively less efficient over the past 10 years. Some of the radiators never come on and most are only working at 10%. Additionally the typical knocking and hissing has gotten increasingly worse just this year - almost unbearable. The furnace is working fine as this is serviced annually, but the balance of the steam system has been overlooked.

Please post contact information for someone that has a good background in steam systems - I had the company that services the furnace take a look and they provided no help.

jpf321

progressive decline...

if you are talking about 1-pipe system .. the progressive decline over the years could be due to your vents failing, clogging, filling with water .. you may also have radiators that have settled, sagged and lost their pitch.



i would remove all your vents, including your main vents,  and either boil them in white vinegar or simply replace them with like kind new ones. please note that each vent may be a different size on each radiator .. so do a complete inventory, by reading the sides of the vents, before you order new ones. the may show things like "1A", #4, #C, 40, etc...they all may physically look the same from 3ft away, you have to read them each up close and personal.



and i would put a level on the rads and assure a *slight* slope toward the inlet side. have a look at this thread for rad pitch procedure: http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/129125/Butterfly-or-Kink#p1184713



also, if your boiler has been neglected, make sure you have your pressure pigtail cleaned.



let us know.

Unknown

Steam In Maine

I would suggest two things. The first is you get "the books" which available on this website and are: "We Got Steam Heat"

 [url=http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/61/We-Got-Steam-Heat-A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Peaceful-Coexistence]http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/61/We-Got-Steam-Heat-A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Peaceful-Coexistence

and "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" 

[url=http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/68/Lost-Art-Of-Steam-Heating]http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/68/Lost-Art-Of-Steam-Heating

These books are written so that a homeowner can understand them. They are easy reading,humorous and packed full of diagrams, pictures and facts on steam heating. In a few evenings of reading you'll know a lot more about steam heating. A lot of the problems with steam heating systems you can fix yourself and somethings should be left to a pro. The books will tell you how to fix the items the homeowner can handle and when to get a pro. The other benefit of "the books" is they give you the knowledge to tell whether the guy who says he knows steam systems really knows them or not. I would say that these books have easily saved me more than a hundred times their value.



As for a steam pro to take a look at your system. I'd contact Al Letellier who is in South Portland. He's a really nice guy. He's been in the business for years and now does mostly consulting/home inspections. I'm sure he could recommend somebody near you who knows steam. He's listed in the "Find a Professional" at the top of the page and here is a link to him

[url=http://www.heatinghelp.com/professional/50/ACL-Consulting-and-Inspection-Services]http://www.heatinghelp.com/professional/50/ACL-Consulting-and-Inspection-Services



My home is in central coastal Maine and I went through the same situation it seems that you are in now. The only "steam experts" near me were with the local oil company. After many attempts they couldn't seem to fix my steam system and were constantly telling me that I needed to modernize my heating  system and go to hot water. Luckily I found this site and "the books" and with them and the generous help of the pros on this site, was able to get my steam system straightened out so that it is now comfortable and economical.

- Rod