adding radiator to 2nd floor from 3rd floor riser

itzasean

Hi I have a single pipe steam heating system. I want to add a radiator to a room on the 2nd floor that has been gutted to the studs. I have access to a riser that goes up to the 3rd floor to one radiator. Would it be ok to put a "T" on the riser to bring a pipe to the 2nd floor for 1 radiator? Would the steam go right pass the "T: into the 3rd floor radiator or would steam be able to go out the horizontal pipe off the "T" to heat the 2nd floor radiator as well?  Thanks

Jamie Hall

Yes...

it's done all the time.  Lots of places have radiators on several floors, all off the same riser.



That said, there are several things to watch.  First, make sure that the riser is big enough to handle the heating load to both radiators.  There are tables for that, or folks here on the Wall can give guidance if they know what size radiators.  Second, make sure that the runout to the new radiator is big enough, and that it pitches properly back to the riser.  Third, when you go to cut in that T (you'll also need a union in there somewhere, unless you're a magician) make darn sure you don't change the pitch on the runout to the existing third floor radiator -- or, if there are runouts in the basement from the main to the base of this riser, that you don't change the pitch of those, either.  Oh yeah... and it should all be threaded black iron.



You can adjust the relative amount of heat the two radiators provide by adjusting their vents.

itzasean

radiator info

Thanks Jamie,

The risers off the 2.5" runouts from the basement are 1 1/4". The radiator on the 3rd floor has 4 sections but the radiator I want to add on the 2nd floor has 8 sections. The runout length from the riser will be less then 10" as the radiator will be set against the wall where the riser comes up.   Do you think that will be ok? I hope so because I dont think I can snake anything larger down the walls to the basement.

itzasean

opps 2"

The pipe to the riser is 2" sorry I said 2.5

Jamie Hall

Should work...

be sure to check the pitches, though.