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Radiators leaking on same riser

newhomeowner
newhomeowner Member Posts: 1
in Strictly Steam
We have two radiators at the front of the house (they get steam last) that are on the same riser and both spew water out of the brand new Gorton's air valves (they spewed out of the cheap HD ones too) just as they are starting to heat up. Plumbers have drained the radiators (very little water came out), ensured they are properly pitched, put a chemical in the boiler (like Draino) to clear the pipes and then ended up flushing the pipes. Seems there is no problem in the pipes, water can return. Plumber now want to charge $1700 to put a pipe between where water leaves boiler and goes up into main pipe and where water returns to boiler after making it's way through the system. Thoughts?

Comments

  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    I assume this is a one-pipe system?

    Did anyone happen to check the valves to make sure they are fully open? Not just that they're turned fully counterclockwise, but that the disks haven't come loose.
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
  • steamedchicago
    steamedchicago Member Posts: 72
    near boiler piping pics?

    Can you post pictures of your near boiler piping?  it'll make it possible to see if it's done right, and if not, what needs to be fixed.
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
    The open vent test

    To check and see if there maybe standing water in the supply pipe, you need a candle, and a relatively cold boiler, along with an assistant.

    The helper should be at the boiler, ready to switch off the boiler at a moment's notice before live steam floods the room, burning everybody in it, and removing all the wallpaper in a few minutes.

    Set up the thermostat a few degrees above the normal temperature, remove the radiator vent., and switch on the boiler. Light the candle, as the boiler is making steam. Air will be pushed out of the vent tapping, and if the pipe is clear, the candle flame will be pushed away, in a steady fashion. If there is standing water being held in a low spot, then the air will come out in a panting fashion, which you may hear , as well as see in the flame being unsteady. When steam arrives, have the boiler switched off.

    Next job is to find any low spot, and raise it up., or do a little repiping, to obtain a clear flow.

    A drip on the end of the main to a new wet return. is a sort of band-aid, and should only be used when it is impossible to repipe.

    Pictures of your boiler and it's piping will show us whether more water than usual is being thrown up into the supplies.--NBC

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