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Can one overvent the main?

acl10
acl10 Member Posts: 349
in Strictly Steam
Can one overvent the main? Would that cause to much water to return to the boiler to quickly?

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,501
    I don't see how...

    the whole idea of the thing is to get steam throughout the length of the main as quickly as possible.  Consider that some very old systems -- before reliable vents appeared on the scene -- vented through an open condenser (big radiator) and on into the chimney through another open pipe!



    The only way this could lead to a return water problem would be if you had a lot of main and it wasn't insulated; even then, I can't see that it would be a problem.  And your mains are insulated, aren't they?
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,495
    Main venting

    You can't overvent a main but you can overvent the radiators. A very high venting rate on a radiator can cause the steam to condense and return at a high rate.



    Also uninsulated pipes in the basement can lead to a lot of condensate. Insulate everything you can it the basement. And remember the old maxim - vent your mains quickly and your radiators slowly.



    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
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