One pipe radiator without a vent

Caleb_2

I recently moved in to a new house and I'm working on balancing my one pipe steam system. My largest radiator is in the room with the thermostat. It looks like whoever tried to balance the system last just decided that it would be easier to take that radiator out of the picture rather that venting everything properly. Instead of a vent, my largest radiator has some sort of plug. I have search all over and have not been able to definitively figure out what it is. Can anyone tell me what that is? I'm pretty confident I can just replace it with a vent, but it would be nice to have a second opinion from someone who knows more than me. =)

Double D

Used on hot water heat

It's a bleeder vent for hot water heating. Remove it and install a steam system air vent.

JStar

Vent

Another satisfied customer of Knucklehead Heating Inc.

Caleb_2

Thanks!

That's what I was looking for. Thanks!

nicholas bonham-carter

Fattening the cow before going to market

That is a nice shiny new vent, probably the previous owners had the system "tuned up" for the sale.

Would the home inspector be expected to catch that? What other work was done on the system by the same person?--NBC

Caleb_2

They did just enough to get it working

The house had been vacant for about a year. They seller had some local heating guys come in to get the boiler up and running. It looks like they replaced a few valves and didn't do much else. Just enough to pass the inspection and appraisal. After I bought the house I started reading up on steam heat and realized very quickly that whoever worked on it last had very little knowledge of the system. I don't know what I would do without the information on this site. Thanks again for everyone's help!

Steamhead

Not the first time I've seen this

and I doubt it'll be the last. You can't fix stupid.



Caleb, where are you located? We might know someone you can call to get your system working as the Dead Men intended.............

JStar

Vent

Maybe the same company that did this...

Steamhead

heh-heh...heh-heh...

"hey Butt-head, you think this will work?"



"uhhhhh... I guess so Beavis, it says that it's an air vent"



And they wonder why we drink...................

Caleb_2

North Central Illinois

I'm in the DeKalb area. It would be nice to have someone I could call if I ever need a valve replaced. That's one thing i probably won't attempt myself.