Someone check this for me

ChrisJ

I'm buying insulation and just want to confirm that this sounds normal.



I have a 19 sqft EDR radiator on the 1st floor which has a 1" riser which goes to I believe 10' of horizontal  1 1/4" pipe (called the run out?) which then goes to my 2" main.



I also have a 29sqft EDR radiator on the second floor which has a 1 1/4' riser which I believe goes to a 10 ft horizontal 1 1/4" pipe and then to the 2" main.



Do these sizes sound appropriate?  

moneypitfeeder

Need a little more info

First off, is this a 1 pipe system? You need to post a little more info about the system before anyone can help you out. Bigger question, do either of these rads have a problem? If not, sometimes its better to let sleeping dogs lie. Are you just insulating the mains or are you going to insulate further? Dee

Steamhead

Those should work fine

just make sure the runout has enough pitch. 1/2" per foot is recommended. 

ChrisJ

Thanks

For the responses.

Dee, this is a single pipe system and at this point in time I have no idea if it ever worked right, thats what I've been working on all summer. I'm going from a boiler that was more than 100sqft of edr short to one that is plenty for the system so I'm preying I can get the condensate to return fast enough at this point.





I made a mistake in my description.  Both radiators have 1" risers but the horizontal pipe going to the main are both 1 1/4"  I will be insulating every pipe I can find except the risers passing from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor with 1" thick knauf insulation. 



I will check pitch per steamhead's recommendation.  Fact is the house has settled all over so who knows whats pitched wrong at this point.  Speaking of pitch I still need to go around and fix a few radiators.  I hope I can get the pipes to flex enough to get them pitched right.

RDSTEAM

where are you

purchasing your insulation from? if you go to a home depot type place, they only carry 1/2" wall. your gonna want insulation with a 1" wall

ChrisJ

Buying insulation from

www.buyinsulationproducts.com



So far I'm really happy with them. I've bought over $600 worth of insulation from them so far.

moneypitfeeder

I've got a local

Supply house near me that sells pipe insulation (the good stuff) at about the same price for the lower quality stuff at the big box stores. Kicker is, they are harder to find. (Esp. in my area where most supply houses won't sell to homeowners) This might be a time for the good old yellow pages, and asking around at a local hardware store to find  good local source. There are alot of places online you can get insulation, but sometimes the shipping can be killer.



The biggest thing I can stress from what I've been learning about my system is that if there is a return that has no feasible union, or ease of opening, it will be clogged. I would say you can probably worry less about the sizing of pipes, unless they are obvious replacements, and think more towards cleaning, flushing, or replacing your returns.



I too have issues with condensate not returning to my boiler, hopefully all that I'm doing currently will rectify that, but there are auto water feeders that count how much water is being added to the system. I'm debating that switch so that I would know if the system is taking on an abnormal amount of water. Might be something to consider if you care to monitor that.

Good Luck, Dee