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Main Vents needed?

alanm
alanm Member Posts: 85
in Strictly Steam
Basic facts of house:

3 story -2 pipe steam system

No vents on any mains in basement, except it looks like on return next to boiler.

What will vents do or not do that will help a system. Do you really need them?

My problem is that there are a few radiators which do not seem to get hot as fast as others and the room stays cold (have check/replaced  radiator valves- all are working).

I do seem to get water in in some valves.

Thanks

Alan

Comments

  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,502
    Steam Traps

    There should be main air vents on the dry returns near where they drop into the drip. Is that main air vent working and what brand and model number is it?



    The radiators should each have a steam trap, are they working? There should be a trap in the cellar as well is it working? Usually one side will be hot and the other side should be cooler because they should close when they sense steam. The piping to and from the radiators should have slope to let any water drain back to the boiler.



    Finally what pressure is the boiler running at? It usually is 2 PSI or less, higherb pressure can damage traps.



    Note that a lot of the above may not apply if it is a vapor system.



    I have a single pipe system myself so my experience with two pipe systems is pretty limited; there is a lot more to this which I'm sure others will fill in.



    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
  • Rod
    Rod Posts: 2,067
    Main Vents

    Hi Alan- I wrote a long reply on 2 Pipe Steam Systems to John at this thread http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/134564/Cycle-Times-Help

    which I think might be of help to you. It including the subject of venting.

    Also post some pictures of your boiler, vents and  a radiator including pipes, traps. That way we'll be able to see your system and give you better answers,

    - Rod
  • alanm
    alanm Member Posts: 85
    main vents photos

    Rod, thanks for info. See attached photos.

    1- end of one of the main. no vent, just piping going up to radiators

    2- view of piping above boiler. That pipe on the right is the return, and there is a vent on there (only vent on any piping in the basement)

    3-another view of piping on boiler

    4- another view- on the right, the top pipe (wrapped loosely) is going to only 3 radiators (one on each floor), while the pipe on the left starts the run around the house where all other radiators feed off of.  the piple on the bottom right is the return from that pipe on the right.

    anymore assistance would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks Alan
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