Another question about main vents

Emeliza

I have a similar question about venting on the main. I want to replace the Vent-rite 75 and the Dole #5 (I think, it looks to be a big 'un) with the Gorton #2, but the Gorton is 1/2" thread while it looks like the Ventrite and the Dole are 3/4" thread. My contractor will be replacing but I am ordering them online because I can't find them in my town. I assume he will have to fashion a reducer of sorts, correct? In other words, can I just order the Gortons (the fastest vent in the west, I understand from all the threads on venting that I have been reading) and let him figure it out? Oh, one will be near the end of 20 or so feet of an inch and a half main (after about 40-50 or so feet of 2" main) and the other, for some reason is on the top side of the wet return about 10-15 feet from the boiler, which services the other part of the 2" main (plumbed incorrectly 30-40 years ago with a bullhead tee and to be rectified with the new install). Your expert opinions, please. PS, sure wish I would have known about this site and the intricacies of steam heat when I bought this old house six years ago. Thx Dan and other pros out in steamland!

Fred

No Problem. Your contractor can put a bushing in that 3/4 inch pipe to reduce it to 1/2 inch. He probably has a supply of those bushings right on his truck

nicholas bonham-carter

I believe JStar has calculated that one Gorton 2 will do for each 20 feet of 2 inch main, so you may need to put on an antler, with several.--NBC

Emeliza

I just measured all my 2" main. Going to the left, I have 40' of 2" which sizes down to 1.5" for 14' before coming to the equalizer (I think that's what it is). The vent I am replacing is about 3' from the end of the 1.5" main. Going to the right I have 43' of 2" main which sizes down to 1.5" for 22'. I have already bought 2 #2 Gortons. Should I order 2 more #2 Gortons, making a total of two on each side? Should I maybe add a #1 for each side to address the 1.5" pipe at the end of both sections of two inch mains or should I use #2's--that would make it 3 on each side, yikes pricey!
BTW, I did get the Burnham Megasteam with a 3 inch drop header, two risers from the boiler (could only get the 28" height due to height limitations in my cellar) and the piping to the main has been corrected, no bullhead tee! I am working with my contractor to build antlers for the two sections where main venting occurs. I just need to know how many I should order. I haven't used the boiler for steam yet, just hot water for now. Contractor is coming back for second skim and to do the vents once I get them. Thanks for your help!

BobC

You have 40 ft of 2" main and then it reduces to 1.5" for 15 ft; do radiators come off the 1.5 " pipe or is it just acting as a return pipe?

You need to determine the length of the steam mains, you can ignore the return piping for determining venting requirements. If the 1.5" is just a return pipe you ill probably need 2 Gortons for each main BUT if the 1.5" pipe has radiators coming off it you may well need to add a third Gorton # 2 . Actually 2 additional Gorton #1's would be plenty with the 2 Gorton #2's but with the extra fittings involved just go for the 3rd Gorton #2 IF that 1.5" pipe is feeding radiators.

Bob

Bio

Usually if you can hear the main vents breathing you are not venting enough, if they stay quiet until steam reaches the main vent then you know you have enough venting