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Uninsulated risers

Jeff_44
Jeff_44 Member Posts: 94
in Strictly Steam
What is the effect of uninsulated risers? I have several that run from the basement to the second floor. I can feel lots of heat coming through the walls. Am I loosing heat/steam that would otherwise go to the 2nd floor rads? And, would these uninsulated risers have an effect on uneven heating?

Comments

  • crash2009
    crash2009 Member Posts: 1,484
    Uninsulated risers

    are part of the heat for the house.  I have a few on the north wall.  The deadmen put them there for a reason.   



    What is going on with the 2nd floor rads?  Do you have radiator vents that are stuck shut?  Did you find a solution to the over-pressure yet?  The 2nd floor vents might be shot because of the pressure.  I lost a few last week during a high pressure episode.  Waiting for new vaporstat to be delivered.
  • Jeff_44
    Jeff_44 Member Posts: 94
    Actually,

    the problem seems to be under-pressure not over pressure. I am still having a random radiator not getting heat from time to time. I'm also waiting for a low pressure gage to arrive so I can better monitor the system. The 0 - 30 gage is shot (they put it right atop the four steam chambers in the boiler) so I built a T atop the pigtail to attach the pressuretrol and gage.



    The radiator vents are not burned out but I have a variety of makes so I think it's time to replace them so they're all the same (I think I'll get Hoffman 1A's). I have a few vari-vents but they're too fast. I have some maid-o-mist but they're not very adjustable, and I have a couple of Hoffman 1A's.
  • crash2009
    crash2009 Member Posts: 1,484
    Sorry I forgot

      I remembered it was something to do with pressure.  Are you losing pressure in that run into the garage?
  • Jeff_44
    Jeff_44 Member Posts: 94
    No...

    I'm not. When I did some more checking, I realized that the takeoff that I thought went to the garage actually goes up to a riser to the biggest rad in the house (this riser is not insulated). I think there might be a leak in the boiler - that's why I ordered the low pressure gage. I have two mains that heat unevenly. One is shorter with two hoffman 75's and the other longer main has two Gorton #2's. The shorter vents on the shorter main always close before the longer main vents (which actually never close). My initial reason for checking into this is that we keep getting a random rad that doesn't get heat. So when I get the gage I hope I can see what kind of pressure is building in the system. The pressuretrol doesn't shut off and I have it set at .5.



    You guys are great on this site and I am always grateful for your help.
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