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RFA re Venting

Hi everyone. I am a homeowner with an 1890s brick townhouse who is just starting to get familiar with our steam system. I am going to be installing insulation in the basement on the pipes (a topic on another post). I am also looking at the existing vents. Based on reading We Got Steam Heat, I believe we likely have insufficient venting on the mains, because the radiators hiss when the steam comes on. In the basement, we have two headers. The one to the front rads is 36 feet of 2" steel pipe (not including near boiler piping in the boiler room and 4.5 feet of pipe to a turn). At the end there is a single vent, slightly past where the wet return seems to drop out. The header to the back of the house is much shorter, 5-6 feet of the same 2" steel pipe after the L bracket turn (i.e., not including near boiler piping and 4.5 feet from boiler room to L bracket), with what looks like a capped area where the vent should be. Pictures are attached. Can anyone recommend the size of vents these pipes need? Is the venting in place on the long pipe sufficient? Shouldn't there be venting on the rear, shorter pipe? I am attaching photos I snapped yesterday while measuring for the insulation. Should there be additional venting on the pipes that branch out to the rads in different parts of the house?
I wanted to note that I called a person in my area who advertises as a steam heat expert and advised him by phone of the situation. He stated that it could be that the venting is sufficient and we should just check the vents on the rads. While I agree that we should check the vents on the rads (why not?), I find the comment that we may not need additional venting in the basement very surprising, based on what I have read in Dan's book and on this board. I thought it would make sense to get some advice from the experts here, rather than someone who may be a knucklehead.
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Emily
I wanted to note that I called a person in my area who advertises as a steam heat expert and advised him by phone of the situation. He stated that it could be that the venting is sufficient and we should just check the vents on the rads. While I agree that we should check the vents on the rads (why not?), I find the comment that we may not need additional venting in the basement very surprising, based on what I have read in Dan's book and on this board. I thought it would make sense to get some advice from the experts here, rather than someone who may be a knucklehead.
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Emily
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Comments
Strainer
Plug for above
Vents
Easy, and will make a big difference!
New England SteamWorks
Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
newenglandsteamworks.com
http://www.amazon.com/Gorton-2-Steam-Air-Vent/dp/B005E0MBQW (on Amazon for $91).
I've seen these elsewhere for about $75 also. I want to make sure I am getting the correct item. Also, would it make sense to get a Gorton #2 for the back line as well?