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Riser heating, Radiator not.

willie t
willie t Member Posts: 4
in Strictly Steam
    One pipe steam system in 4 story apartment building. Steam pressure good, under 2 lbs, main vents are in correct locations and mains heat fairly evenly. Risers send heat up to floors 2-3-4 and they again heat fairly evenly.

    Our problem is in a couple locations we can not get the radiator on first floor to heat. The supply to these radiators is taken off the main before the riser. It has 2 or 3 90 degree elbows before it turns vertical and goes into bottom of radiator valve. We have chaged air vents, removed air vent, run snake down supply pipe to make sure its clear and even removed the radiator valve. Nothing helps us get steam to these particular radiators.

    Any thoughts on why we are heating floors 2-3-4 OK but can't get heat to the first floor radiator???????

    I'm thinking it has something to do with the 3 elbows in line but wanted to see what others thought before I start to re-pipe.

    Any thoughts would be apprectiated.

Comments

  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,505
    Piping

    Does the pipe that feeds these radiators get hot and if so how close to the radiator? As long as the pipe is clear the steam should find it's way to the radiator. 90 degree elbows effectively lengthen the pipe but otherwise should not be an issue. What size is the pipe that feeds the radiator, if it's drastically undersized it could be an issue.



    Most important is the piping sloped so condensing steam can can find it's way back to the main? The radiator should be slightly pitched towards the input valve for the same reason. Check everything with a level to make sure you don't have a low spot somewhere.



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • willie t
    willie t Member Posts: 4
    Piping II

        Pipe supplying radiator does not get hot.

        Pipe size is 1". There is a 12" vertical nipple from bottom of radiator valve, to a 90 to a 6" horizontal nipple, to another 90 then a nip and another 90 and nip into the supply main.

          We are within 2' of the radiator. Everything looks to be pictched back to main for condensate to run, but good suggestion about the level. I will check that out and let you know.
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