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Steam help!

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adambuild
adambuild Member Posts: 414
in THE MAIN WALL
Hi Wallies,

We cleaned up an old steam system last week where only the first floor rads were getting hot and the second floor was barely warm. We thoroughly cleaned the boiler, sight glass, pigtail, pressuretrol, pressure gauge, and changed all of the rad vents to vari-vents. We closed the downstairs ones and left the upstairs ones open. It worked great last week but now the HO is saying nothing is getting hot upstairs!? We didn't change the two main vents because they seemed to be working. Any ideas?!?!?!?

Thanks, Adam

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  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
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    Steam

    What pressure is the boiler running at?
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 6,961
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    What brand and size of the main vents?

    I am working around the clock, so I may not respond fast enough.  You can call me late at night or on my break I will return call if possible.  Mad Dog 516-322-2881
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • adambuild
    adambuild Member Posts: 414
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    !

    Thanks guys! System set at approximately 1/2 pound pressure with differential set to 1. There are two GORTON #1 vents. As mentioned, I didn't change them but they seemed to be OK. Mains are each 2" and each are about 35' long.
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
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    Steam

    Hmm. Are the valves open? Something must be getting hot.
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    Something changed

    What sort of thermostat is controlling the system? If you short the wires for the thermostat to simulate a constant call for heat, can you see if steam is getting to all the rads simultaneously? With all the work you did, there must be some simple explanation, and maybe JS* is on it with the pressure, and a re-clogged pigtail.--NBC
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