Main vents

acl10

My system does not have any main vents. It does not look like there ever were any because the mains have no place to put one. Is this the way it should be? It was installed like that when the house was built about 80 years ago.I installed Gorton D on most of the radiators.

Steamhead

Some systems were built that way

but they should have main vents added. This will make them heat faster and more evenly. How long are your steam mains and what pipe size are they?



Also, large rad vents like Gorton D or Heat-Timer Vari-Valve units can vent too fast for the condensate to return in the runout, which can cause banging. With proper main vents you don't need large rad vents.

acl10

How do you add main vents

How do you add main vents? There is no place to screw them in. The main pipe is 2 inches I think

BobC

Drill and tap

You could drill and tap into the main to mount a vent and that could be tough if your too close to the ceiling, the hole has to be at the top of the pipe. If you do drill and tap start small and go up in drill size incrementally til you get the right size hole. that way you will end up with a round hole



Bob

nicholas bonham-carter

alternative main vent location

remember the vertical pipe coming down in the dry return could also be a location for the main vent antler. naturally, it should be as high as possible so as to keep its feet dry.--nbc